Dog hailed as hero after alerting sleeping family of fire

_ (press release) _

Ottawa Fire Services received a 911 call at 2:44 a.m. reporting a roof on fire at 1263 Bayview Road in the area of Bishop Davis Drive in Constance Bay. The house was fully involved in flames and the roof collapsed which prompted a defensive attack from Ottawa Fire Services crews on scene.

Neighbouring home owners were concerned for their own properties because of the intensity of the fire and firefighters addressed those concerns in their fire operations.  Ottawa Fire Services’ primary tactics and strategies include protecting other structures that may be exposed during a fire event.  The radiant heat created by a fire can quickly ignite neighbouring structures.

Firefighters quickly use their equipment to wet those vulnerable items and reduce their temperature. This in turn lessens the chance of the fire spreading to another unit or structure. We can confirm that no other homes in the area of Bayview Road were impacted by fire.

Ottawa Fire Services Investigation staff has concluded their enquiry and have deemed the cause of the fire as accidental.  Poorly discarded smoking material appears to have ignited the front landing which quickly spread to the remainder of the home.

It was ** Kayla ** , the family dog that alerted the homeowners of the emergency. The Shepherd Collie mix made excessive noise that pulled the occupants from their deep sleep and made them aware of the fire outside. The family of three safely evacuated. There are no reported injuries.  Damage estimates for the home and its contents stands at $450,000.00. Two adults and a 13 year old were displaced as a result of the blaze.  We want to thank our partners at the Salvation Army and Red Cross for helping this family with some of their immediate needs.

We would also like to take this opportunity to remind Ottawa residents of the high risk of fire spread due to poorly discarded smoking material.  The cooperation of residents is essential to ensure that homes, buildings and lives are not impacted by fire.  The dangers are real and we want to prevent losses and/or deaths. We would like to remind residents to be extremely cautious when disposing of smoking materials.

If you or a family member smokes please read the following:

·         Before you throw out butts, make sure they are out. Put them out in water or sand.

·         Wherever you smoke, use deep, sturdy ashtrays.

·         Do not extinguish cigarettes in potted plants or landscaping, which often contain a mixture of peat moss, shredded wood, and bark, which can easily ignite.

·         Do not throw your butts from your car window when driving or toss them carelessly when walking, please find an ashtray.