'This very easily could have been a fatal fire': Pet cat credited with saving owner's life during Exeter, Ont. fire
![Victoria Street fire - Exeter - Dec 2023 Interior damage was extensive following an early morning fire at a duplex on Victoria Street in Exeter, Ont. on Dec. 4, 2023. Fire Chief Jeremy Becker says the tenant was lucky to be alive because the unit had no working smoke alarms. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/12/4/victoria-street-fire---exeter---dec-2023-1-6672788-1701724693098.jpeg)
Damage was extensive to a duplex on Victoria Street in Exeter following an early morning fire.
Fire crews from Exeter and Dashwood arrived to the 145 Victoria St. shortly before 8 a.m. to see smoke billowing from the front door.
The lone tenant and his pet cat made it outside by the time fire crews arrived, thanks entirely to the cat’s incessant meowing, according to the local fire chief.
“One [side] of the duplex had smoke alarms, the other side did not. The individual is lucky that his cat woke him up. This could [have] turned out very differently. Smoke alarms are an inexpensive safety device. Everybody needs to have a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm in their house,” said South Huron Fire Chief, Jeremy Becker.
Extensive damage is seen following a fire at duplex on Victoria Street in Exeter, Ont. on Dec. 4, 2023. Chief Jeremy Becker says the unit did not have any working smoke alarms, and the tenant was lucky to get out alive. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)Becker said South Huron has over 160 smoke alarms to give away as part of a recent partnership with Enbridge. He encourages anyone who can’t afford a smoke or CO alarm to drop by the South Huron fire hall to get one, free of charge.
Monday morning’s blaze — which Becker believes was electrical in nature and is not considered suspicious — could have been a fatal fire, if not for the tenant’s cat.
“This very easily could have been a fatal fire. If that individual didn’t wake up from his cat making as much noise as it was, he could have very easily succumb to the smoke,” said Becker.
Chief Jeremy Becker of the South Huron Fire Department talks about how a tenant was lucky to be alive after having no working smoke alarms inside his apartment, following a fire on the morning of December 4, 2023-Exeter-today-Scott Miller
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.5539352.1628465336!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
2 wildfires less than 8 km away from Jasper townsite, some structures impacted in national park
As the evacuation order continues for Jasper National Park, officials confirm that some structures in the park have been damaged by fire, but they can't confirm what those structures are.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Wildfire north of Calgary prompts evacuation alert, highway closures
A wildfire is prompting evacuations and highway closures north of Calgary.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Canada's envoy to NYC called to testify about $9M condo purchase on 'Billionaires' Row'
Canada's Consul General in New York will have to explain the government's decision to buy a $9 million condo in Manhattan's famous 'Billionaires' Row,' to a parliamentary committee.
Montreal electronic traffic signs hacked to display pro-Palestinian political slogans
Montreal police are investigating after electronic message boards at two road construction sites in Montreal displayed pro-Palestinian political slogans Wednesday morning instead of usual traffic alerts.