Fire chief describes 'helplessness' at fire pit incident near Aylmer, Ont., that left children burned
More information is coming to light regarding the family that was seriously injured in a fire pit accident Monday evening near Port Burwell, Ont.
“I think the helplessness is what really got to me -- was the fact that the children were in pain and screaming,” recalls the Municipality of Bayham Fire Chief Harry Baranik.
Baranik was first on the scene of the horrific accident.
"There is very little you really can do but try to ease the comfort, or ease the heating, by cooling them down, and then worry about infection by wrapping up in dressing and waiting for paramedics to transport them as quickly as possible," said Baranik.
Emergency crews were called to a home on Vienna Line in Bayham Township near Port Burwell around 6:50 p.m. Monday.
According to a GoFundMe page started for the family, Jake and Tina Hiebert, along with three children suffered serious burns after a jerry can filled with diesel exploded during a family bonfire.
A relative confirmed to CTV News London that Jake and Tina, along with two girls, ages seven and one, and a four-year-old boy were rushed to hospital with severe burns. Two of the children were taken to a Toronto hospital where they have undergone surgery and remain in serious condition.
Baranik says backyard fire pits are common during the summer months, but like any fire, they are serious, can turn tragic and are unforgiving, therefore it is extremely important to follow proper safety protocols.
"Start small, with wood and paper products, building it up and then adding big items such as logs,” he says. “Using an approved fire started that you can buy commercially, that is slow in releasing heat, but does not cause sudden expansion."
Baranik says using an accelerant, such as gasoline, is always a bad idea.
"Never, ever, ever pour an accelerant onto an open flame because you cannot control it,” he says.
The Ontario Fire Marshal continues to investigate the cause of this incident.
In the meantime, the Elgin County Critical Incident Stress Management Team has been called in to assist the firefighters who attended this call.
"This is very traumatic for them, many of the firefighters do have children that are in that age group, so there was a quick correlation to their families and how tragic this could be for themselves,” said Baranik.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.