A house fire in Sydney, N.S., led to a dramatic rescue where four individuals, including two teenagers and an infant, were saved by an off-duty RCMP officer. Const. Anton Lorde was returning home from his shift on July 18 when he noticed a significant amount of smoke rising from a residence on Mount Pleasant Street in the Whitney Pier neighborhood.
Upon arriving at the scene, Lorde found the house engulfed in flames, prompting him to take immediate action to clear the area for incoming firefighters. Initially thinking the house was empty, he was informed by a neighbor that there were occupants, including children.
Lorde quickly sprang into action, hopping a fence into the backyard and began knocking on windows to check for anyone inside. He was greeted by a frightened boy peeking through the blinds, prompting Lorde to urge him to evacuate.
As Lorde continued his efforts, the father of the children appeared, and together with the help of a neighbor, they successfully rescued the trapped family members by breaking a window and passing the infant to safety.
Peter Magliaro, the homeowner, expressed gratitude for the swift actions of Lorde and the collaborative rescue effort that saved his family. Despite being hailed as a hero, Lorde humbly stated that he was simply in the right place at the right time.
The fire marshal’s office and local authorities are investigating the incident, with Magliaro suspecting foul play due to the sudden and intense nature of the fire. The family, now displaced, is waiting for the investigation results while planning to rebuild their home.
The community has rallied behind the family, with support pouring in as they navigate this challenging time following the traumatic event.