Girl saves her family
Published: March 15, 2007
A girl is being credited with saving her family after their Fort Rouge home went up in flames.
Six people were taken to hospital after fire broke out at 650 Mulvey Ave. about 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday night.
“We’re lucky we got out alive,” Charlotte Jack said yesterday while surveying the damage of the rented home she shares with her husband Roy, her daughter, Heather, and four granddaughters.
The five females were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation and released. Roy Jack suffered burns to his head but was released from hospital yesterday.
Jamie-Lynn Jack, 12, was about to go play in the basement with a couple of friends Wednesday night when she spotted the fire.
“I saw a bright orange light. At first I thought it was a lamp, but it was a fire and I yelled at everybody to get out,” the young hero said.
‘No time to think’
She was able to save a cat and dog, but another cat and dog perished.
“It was scary. There was really no time to think,” said Heather Jack, who was on the second floor when her sister started yelling.
“Mom and I could barely see coming down the stairs. It was smokey and very hot,” Heather said while clutching a pair of Eric Clapton tickets salvaged from the fire.
Damage from the fire is estimated at $275,000.
Fire officials said the cause is still under investigation but Charlotte Jack said burning incense started the blaze.
Jack took exception to a neighbour’s comments that her house was the scene of rowdy drinking parties. Not so, said Jack.
“He must be talking about the people who lived here before. It’s not us,” she said.
Hours after the fire the family was already receiving clothing from their Mormon congregation, said Jack.
“It’s at times like this that the people of Winnipeg really step forward to help,” she said.
Jack had to sign a release before being allowed inside the blackened house to retrieve a few belongings yesterday afternoon. “There’s not much to save but everybody got out alive,” she said.
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