Fire destroys senior’s home

Jean Reid lost everything in the fire that gutted her house in the early hours of Nov. 21. The woodstove, located in the basement, is suspected to be the cause of the fire.

Mac Olsen
South Peace News

Jean Reid has to rebuild her life after a fire gutted her house. Only the basement, charred household items and twisted metal remain. What’s worse, Reid does not have house insurance because it was too expensive for her. The fire occurred at approximately 4 a.m. on Nov. 21. Her house is located in the Triangle area, 18 km west of High Prairie. The High Prairie Fire Department dispatched six firefighters, one pumper truck and a rapid attack truck. Enilda’s pumper truck served as back up. Deputy Fire Chief John McDermott says the house was engulfed in flames, so it couldn’t be saved. Firefighters were on scene for about four-and-a-half hours. There were no injuries. Reid woke up at 3:30 a.m. and smelled smoke. She thought it was coming from the woodstove in the basement, and decided to throw the wood out in the snow the next morning. Reid couldn’t get back to sleep then, so she watched TV. But the smoke alarm sounded five minutes later. She went downstairs and discovered that the wall that connects with the stovepipe was on fire. There was a pail of water with a dipper in it. She took the dipper and sprayed the wall, but this proved insufficient. Although she had fire extinguishers in the house, she didn’t think of using them. Instead, she called 9-1-1 and gave the dispatcher directions to the house. She then got her coat on, grabbed her keys and headed out to her vehicle. While pulling out, she saw the outside wall of the house on fire. At her neighbour’s house, Reid called 9-1-1 again to tell them she was okay. Reid also contacted her children to explain the situation, and they went out to her. Her son met her at the neighbour’s house, and he said the house was gone. Reid saw the remains of her house for the first time on Nov. 23. “It’s a little bit heart wrenching,” says Reid. “But I’m thankful that I made it out. I’m okay, and I didn’t get injured.” Reid lost everything in the fire. Gifts that her husband bought her over the years, such as jewellery and wedding gifts, are the greatest loss. She also had a sewing machine that her grandmother brought over from the Old Country. Then there were the mementos from her 50th wedding anniversary. She commends the firefighters for trying to save her house. “I really thank them for that. They were prompt.” Reid also thanks all the other people who have provided support to her. She is living in a trailer at her oldest daughter’s house in High Prairie for the rest of the winter. Reid and her family welcome donations from the public. Contact Real Gagnon at 523-3934 for more information.

Copyright © 1999-2005 South Peace News. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.

View our Privacy Statement.
Send website suggestions to the Webmaster