Family of Five Rescued From Cape Breton Apartment Fire During Snowstorm, Canada

A family of five, who are newcomers to Canada, expressed their gratitude and admiration for the firefighters who rescued them from a blazing apartment building in Cape Breton during a recent snowstorm. The electrical fire broke out in the early morning, filling the two-storey building with smoke. Ann Adibe, who was staying in a nearby hotel with her husband and three children, described the experience as traumatic and recalled the intensity of the smoke. Firefighters quickly arrived at the scene and battled the flames using hand-held tools and extinguishers. They traversed through waist-high snow after two municipal snowplows cleared a path down the street, allowing them to bring in water hoses. All twelve residents, including the Adibe family, were provided shelter in the back of the rescue truck and no injuries were reported. Mark Bettens, a platoon chief, commended the firefighters’ efforts in adapting to the challenging conditions posed by the snowstorm, including navigating snow-blocked streets and utilizing hand-held gear to control the fire. He explained that deploying firefighters on a smaller rescue vehicle instead of a large engine truck proved to be a wise decision, as the larger vehicles were struggling to navigate the snowy streets. Bettens, who has three decades of experience, stated that the heavy snow conditions presented significant challenges for the firefighters. The Adibe family, who are originally from Nigeria, called 911 promptly, and their swift action, along with the firefighters’ rapid response, prevented further damage to the building. While thankful to be alive, the family expressed concern about finding temporary accommodation while their apartment is repaired. The Canadian Red Cross provided assistance to the affected households, including funds for emergency lodging, clothing, food, and personal products. Michael Adibe emphasized the importance of the firefighters’ arrival, stating that if they hadn’t come, the entire building would have caught fire. The family plans to restart their lives in Canada and expressed gratitude to the firefighters for their heroic efforts.