Tiny Township family watches home burn

CTV Barrie: Family of six safe after house fire Courtney Heels speaks with a family who, thanks to an escape plan, got out of their burning Tiny Township home safely early this morning.

A family of six in Tiny Township lost their two-storey home to fire early this morning.

But they are still counting their blessings.

When firefighters arrived at the Evergreen Avenue home near Woodland Beach this morning, it was already too late.

In minutes, the fire spread throughout the home.

“I saw flames coming through our window, in our living room, and yelled fire,” says homeowner Barbara Nadon. “And everyone ran. Thank God everyone got out safe.”

And it was because mom started screaming the kids in the house woke up and got out in time.

“I was just sound asleep, and I didn't know what was happening,” says nine-year-old Jacob Nadon. “So I just ran out of my room and I ran in to her. I ran out the door and into the house we're supposed to go in, if there's a fire.”

The Nadons had a fire escape plan, so mom, dad, and all four kids knew exactly where to go. The family met up across the street, and then watched as fire destroyed their home of nine years.

“It was a little heartbreaking,” says Jordan Nadon, 17. “I've been here for a while. And there's a lot of stuff in there and that has sentimental value.”

Bikes are charred, and so are photographs and furniture.

“But it's all replaceable,” says Jordan.

An investigator with the Ontario Fire Marshal's office is looking into a cause. Firefighters believe the fire started outside, and the wind made it worse.

“It was windy. I think that contributed to the extent of the damage once it got into the house,” says Tiny Township Fire Chief Tony Mintoff. “We believe the fire likely started outside the house on the back deck.”

Nearby homes were also damaged, but neighbours are just glad the Nadons are okay.

People have been stopping by all day to check in on them.

One neighbour has offered up their home to the family and that's where the Nadons are planning to stay for the time being.

The family is happy in this neighbourhood and say there is nowhere else they'd rather live. Once the fire investigation wraps up, they plan to rebuild.