Seven pets saved from fire in city’s southeast

Fire officials investigate cause of blaze, which began on a neighbour’s deck

Sandra Manseau’s roof was lost in a Summerside house fire Monday morning, but her dog, parrot, three ferrets and two hamsters were saved.

Manseau’s home, near 19 Avenue and 67 Street in the city’s southeast, caught fire just before 6 a.m., Edmonton Fire Rescue Services spokeswoman Katie Stewart said later Monday. The blaze started on the deck of Manseau’s next-door neighbour and the cause was still under investigation.

While the roof and second-floor ceiling were consumed by fire, Manseau said her collection of pets “were gladly OK” after she and fire crews moved quickly to pull them to safety.

“We have no more roof; from the second floor we can see the sky,” Manseau said. “We can see some part of the structure of the ceiling, but it’s minimal.”

The fire was brought under control by 6:45 a.m. and was completely out by 8 a.m.

Manseau knew something was wrong when her Biewer terrier, Kiara, suddenly jumped out of bed about 5:50 a.m. As she went downstairs and let her dog outside, she heard crackling coming from the neighbour’s house. By the time she went back inside, her husband could see smoke coming from next door, and their fire alarm went off. They called 911 and left the house — leaving their six other animals inside.

The blaze quickly spread to Manseau’s roof as she and her husband fled across the street with their dog.

“When we were outside, I knew this was going to be dangerous for my other animals,” Manseau said.

She then returned to the burning home, recovering her three ferrets — Lilo, Stitch and Nala. Neighbours soon supplied Manseau with dog cages to house the ferrets.

Fire crews then rescued Manseau’s macaw parrot, Elmo, after arriving on scene. After they put out the fire, they recovered the home’s two hamsters; Manseau wasn’t sure if they would survive the blaze. The hamsters now live in a travel cage.

Manseau’s home was insured, but she has been told she won’t be allowed to re-enter once the fire investigation is complete. She and her husband, as well as their animals, will live with family and friends in the future.

The damage is “likely longterm.”

A city spokesperson said the investigation could take days or weeks.

GREG SOUTHAM Sandra Manseau crouches in front of her home with her dog and ferrets after her house caught fire early Monday morning. She was able to escape with her husband and most of her animals, except her hamsters. The fire crew, however, found the hamsters...