Barrie teenagers to receive Fire Safety Action Awards

TORONTO, June 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Corrie Rice, Ashleigh Lathem and Lyle Hosein will receive Fire Safety Action Awards on June 26 in Toronto.  The annual Fire Safety Awards ceremony, hosted by the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council, recognizes outstanding contributions to fire protection and prevention in Ontario.

Last October, teenagers Rice, Lathem and Hosein were walking down a street in Barrie in the early evening, when they saw flames shooting from the garage and roof area of a nearby home. The teenagers sprang into action to get help and save the occupants of the home. Rice used her cell phone to call 9-1-1 to report the fire, while Lathem and Hosein ran to the house to notify the residents and knocked on neighbours' doors to alert them to the fire. The family inside the burning home - a mother, grandmother and three young children - were completely unaware of the fire. The family had recently removed their smoke alarms to paint and had not replaced them.

All three teenagers responded quickly and appropriately to this life-threatening situation. By dividing the tasks amongst themselves they ensured that everyone got out of the home safely and the fire department was notified. Although the damage to the home was extensive, everyone survived to tell about it, thanks to the efforts of the three intrepid teenagers.

"The teens were taught fire safety education in their elementary school," said Ted Wieclawek, Ontario Fire Marshal.  "In addition, Ashleigh's father was a volunteer firefighter prior to moving to Barrie, so the family was well-versed in fire safe behaviour."

Fire Safety Action Awards are awarded to young children and teenagers who have actively demonstrated fire safety behaviours they have learned.  The Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors in this event: Technical Standards and Safety Authority, The Co-operators Group, Kidde Canada Inc., Home Depot of Canada Inc., Proctor & Gamble Inc., Domino's Pizza of Canada, Electrical Safety Authority, Canadian Standards Association Group and Enbridge Gas Distribution.

Carol Gravelle, Office of the Fire Marshal, 416-325-3138