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Samantha Tegart and her boyfriend Greg Stewart decided against going camping on the May long weekend, picking up an early-morning work shift together instead.
That decision may have saved the lives of eight people.
“Thank God we did, because everybody around their house was gone on May long weekend camping,” Tegart told CBC.
After a house fire broke out early Sunday morning in Radville, Sask., about 130 kilometres south of Regina, the couple sprang into action, saving the home’s occupants before the flames consumed it.
“I happened to get out of the house first and Greg was following behind. I look up and I just see like this orange on our neighbor’s house,” Tegart said.
Samantha Tegart and Greg Stewart live directly across the street from the home that burned. They spotted the fire while getting ready for work. (Submitted by Samantha Tegart)
The pair ran to the house at 629 Mann Ave. and began banging on the front and side doors.
“Greg said that he didn’t think they could hear us,” Tegart recalled.
“I got out of the way and he kicked the door in and went into the house and started yelling ‘Everybody get out, get out, get out,’ while I ran to the street, grabbed my phone. I dialed 911 right away to make sure the fire department was on their way.”
From there, the couple made their way through the home, which was slowly being consumed by flames. Once everyone was awake and up, they guided them from the house and onto the street away from the smoke.
“After all, we are very proud that our instincts kicked in,” Tegart said. “All the stuff we’ve been trained to do at work was put into effect and we were able to execute it safely.”
Both of them work in the oil field — she’s a safety worker, and he’s an oxygen hand.
All eight people and a dog got out of the house nearly unscathed, though one of the people had to be put on oxygen for smoke inhalation. Tegart and Stewart had throat irritation and were also checked out in hospital.
The home, though still standing, was gutted by the fire. (Submitted by Samantha Tegart)
“I burnt the back of my hair off because there was a flame that blew through the living room,” said Tegart.
“As I turned, it just kind of singed the back of my body, and I just ducked down and I was out. So I mean, my hair can grow back. So it’s not a major, major thing … Greg burned his throat pretty bad. He was in the smoke more than anyone trying to put it out.”
Tegart credited the Radville-Laurier volunteer fire department for its quick response. According to images from Google Maps, the home was less than 15 years old.
“I think they did the community a great service and I’ve talked to them and told them that they did an excellent job of being good neighbors,” said Fire Chief Byron Labbie. He said the cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
“We attacked the fire with six lines off two pumper units and basically tried to extinguish it from the outside. The fire ended up getting up into the ceiling, then the roof started to fall in, and then we extinguished it,” Labbie said.
[The homeowner’s] family was there for their grandfather’s birthday. I believe he was turning 84,” said Labbie. “Normally there’s just two that live in the house.– Fire Chief Byron Labbie
Labbie said amidst the chaos, it’s unclear whether the home’s smoke detectors were working.
“[The homeowner’s] family was there for their grandfather’s birthday. I believe he was turning 84,” Labbie said. “Normally there’s just two that live in the house.”
Tegart said she’s just glad everyone is OK.
“The 911 operator was very calm and helped me make sure that we were doing everything right,” she said. “There’s a lot of ‘what ifs’ … but we just want to keep thinking of the outcome that everyone is alive. Houses can be replaced, but people can’t.”
