WHITEWATER REGION (near Cobden) — “It’s by God’s grace that our son Fraser and his wife Candice and their baby girl Layla made it out of their devastating house fire last night,” wrote Laura Agnew on her Facebook page.. “In losing everything, we still are blessed we have them here at our home safe and sound and alive.”
Ms. Agnew is referring to the house fire that occurred around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night on Foresters Falls Road just on the other side of Cobden.
Fraser Agnew, wife Candice and Layla were sleeping when the smoke alarm sounded, said Whitewater Region Fire Chief Jonathan Wilker.
“When firefighters arrived on scene, the house was fully involved,” he said. “We did an exterior attack.
“The man and his wife and infant were all outside.”
About 30 firefighters from the five Whitewater Region fire stations responded and the fire was under control by 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, March 20. Some firefighters remained on a firewatch until 8 a.m.
Mr. Agnew was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and then taken to hospital, the chief said. He was released about three hours later.
“The home is a complete loss,” he said.
The fire is not deemed suspicious, but the cause is still under investigation, Chief Wilker said.
He noted Renfrew County Victim Services and the Red Cross were notified and will be helping the family out.
Laura said the family is not yet ready to talk about the tragedy.
“They are under a lot of stress, reliving it over and over,” she said. “It’s devastating to watch your son go through this.
“You just feel so helpless.”
However, Laura said the community reaching out to her family has been very uplifting.
“It’s wonderful to see people come in and hug your kids,” she said.
During last night’s Whitewater Region council meeting, Chief Wilker provided an update.
Councillor Charlene Jackson said, “It’s a sad day when a young family loses their house to fire. I’m just glad everybody got out safe.”
Chief Wilker said after hearing the alarm, they opened their bedroom door and there was black smoke, and they knew they had to get out right away.
“Had the smoke detector not woken them up, there could have been a worse tragedy,” he said.
Chief Wilker encourages people to ensure their smoke detectors are in working condition.
