Fast-acting neighbours helped two people escape a burning home in London’s East End. Flames and smoke began pouring from the roof of the home on Arcadia Crescent shortly after 9:00 p.m. Sunday. Among those alerted was nearby resident Franca Lorenzutti. “We were watching TV and all of a sudden, I said, boy, this noise is too close.” Moments later, Lorenzutti saw the flames. “Speechless. I mean, they [the flames] were coming like you wouldn’t believe.” Amazingly, two seniors living inside the home were unaware that a fire was raging in the ceiling. “The occupants, because the fire was above them, did not know the fire was above them at that time. They were alerted by neighbours knocking on the door,” explained Platoon Chief Jamie Britton. Both residents escaped unharmed, much to Lorenzutti’s delight. “Thank God they are safe, and they are out,” Lorenzutti exclaimed. She also pointed out that she and her husband have lived across the street from the couple for 60 years. Firefighters did their best to save the home. The blaze was brought under control within an hour, but Britton said crews remained on the street until daybreak. “It was a very stubborn fire because the fire was contained within the roof area itself. And the crews did a fantastic job on a very stubborn fire to knock it down as quickly as they did.” The scene was held into the afternoon hours as investigators combed through the debris. Damage is estimated at $600,000. An official cause will take time to determine. “Just awful. Just awful to look at. Sad, really, the whole thing,” said Lorenzutti.
