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Family of six escape $200,000 house blaze By LISA TALLYN Staff Writer Thanks to the sounding of a smoke alarm early Friday morning a family of six was able to escape a rapidly advancing basement fire in their Sixth Line home that resulted in $200,000 damage. The smoke alarm woke the family from a sound sleep giving them time to get out of the house without injury. Milton Fire Department (which is first response for that area) was called about 2:50 a.m. When fire crews arrived, they were met by intense heat and smoke coming from the basement of the split-level two-storey home. Aggressive actions by the firefighters contained the fire to the basement, but the rest of the home suffered extensive heat and smoke damage. Shortly after receiving notice, Halton Hills firefighters responded to support and complete the firefighting operation. Staff remained on the scene for several hours making sure the fire didn't extend into any hidden voids in the basement. The cause of the blaze is under investigation. "Here is another example where having working smoke alarms, proves once again, lives can be saved. This family is able to share their experience thanks to having working smoke alarms in their home," said Halton Hills Fire Protection and Prevention Services Deputy Chief Harry Olivieri. Olivieri added it's the law that every home be equipped with at least one working smoke alarm on every storey, including the basement and outside every sleeping area. For further protection, smoke alarms also need to be tested and maintained so that they work as designed, he said. Those who have battery operated smoke alarms need to replace the battery twice a year. Olivieri added all smoke alarms should be tested monthly and it's also a good idea to vacuum the smoke alarm. Anyone with questions regarding smoke alarms or their proper installation or placement is asked to call Captain Dave Ford of the Halton Hills Fire Protection and Prevention Services at 905-873-2601 ext. 2115. 3 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday, March 2, 2010 Six members of a family on Sixth Line in Halton Hills escaped a basement fire early Friday morning. The blaze scorched the outside wall of the home (above) but fire department officials estimate the damage to be $200,000 as much of the inside (left) was heavily damaged. Photos by Ted Brown Best Toyota Red Tag Ever! Starts March 2nd. See dealer for details. GEORGETOWN TOYOTA 15 MOUNTAINVIEW RD. N., GEORGETOWN 905-877-2296 WEBSITE at www.georgetowntoyota.com