‘Everything was burning and falling apart’: Witness recalls north London townhouse blaze

An early morning townhouse fire on Silverbrook Drive has caused $1 million in damage. CTV’s Sean Irvine reports.

The London Fire Department is crediting smoke detectors for ensuring everyone made it out alive of a burning townhouse complex.

The fire on Silverbrook Drive broke out just after midnight on Wednesday.

Eight hours earlier, a resident captured video of the fast-moving fire, showing it lighting up the night sky.

Mani Khattra was getting into his car across the way from the complex when he noticed the flames.

“I saw that there was some kind of light coming from the back. At first, I thought it was a streetlight, but then I got closer, and it started glowing more. And I looked back, and I saw the house was in flames,” he recalled.

Khattra called 911 and then joined other neighbours attempting to alert everyone at risk. As they did, Khattra said “Everything was burning and falling apart” around the three units impacted by the fire.

Less than five minutes later, firefighters arrived on scene. Immediately, they worked to determine if anyone was trapped, according to Deputy Chief Gary Bridge.

“They took an aggressive attack upon arrival, not knowing who was in and who was out of the house,” he said.

The residents in the middle unit, heavily damaged by the fire, told CTV News off camera they were watching TV moments before being alerted to the flames.

They escaped with their children and their dog. A search for two cats continues.

It is believed the blaze began in the back area of one unit. Bridge said an official cause will take time.

“We have 12 people displaced as a result of this. We estimate damage at well over $1 million,” he said.

While the loss of their homes is upsetting, one family expressed their gratitude to firefighters, who in turn gave credit to working smoke detectors.

“Smoke alarms save lives,” Bridge repeated. “This is a good illustration of when it does occur. Residents quickly evacuated there, and as a result, we may have saved lives.”

While no residents were hurt, one firefighter suffered a minor injury. They were treated at the scene.