BARRHEAD - Five minutes longer, and it would have been a tragedy.
That is how Barrhead Regional Fire Services (BRFS) chief Gary Hove described a fire that broke out in a 51st Street residence in the early morning of Dec. 27.
"They are extremely fortunate. Another five minutes, and we could be talking about fatalities," he said.
As it was, the family of four managed to escape the home safely with most of their pets. As a precaution, the family were taken to the Barrhead Healthcare Centre.
Firefighters received the call just after 4 a.m., responding with two fire engines and about ten firefighters.
"The fire started in the bathroom, possibly by a candle," Hove said.
He added that the bathroom was engulfed in flames when they arrived, and the fire made it inside the walls. However, one of the residents had done an excellent job of knocking it back and stopping it from spreading further into the house using a household fire extinguisher.
Hove added firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and were able to contain it mainly to one room; the home suffered extensive smoke damage.
Firefighters were on the scene for roughly an hour and a half.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
