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
BREAKING Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Ford to recall some pickup trucks in Canada over tail light failure
Ford is set to recall some pickup trucks in Canada due to potential tail light failure.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.