An Apopka family narrowly escaped a house fire on New Year’s Day after a neighbor alerted them to the blaze that erupted in their garage during the early morning hours.
Neighbors described the situation as devastating, though they were grateful no one was hurt. Dorothy Petticrew, a neighbor, said, “It was very sad. At 6 o’clock this morning, when I woke up and looked outside, I thought for sure a bear had crashed through our gate. It was a big popping noise.”
Petticrew saw thick smoke coming from the home across the street on Sweetwater Country Club Drive, where a husband, wife, and their two children lived. “It was tragic to see them outside barefooted, in their pajamas, and crying at 6 o’clock in the morning after a wonderful Christmas, and they were celebrating New Year’s Eve with fireworks in the street,” she said.
Another neighbor saw the fire, called for help, and ran over to alert the family, who were asleep at the time. Petticrew noted, “If the neighbors hadn’t beat on the door and if their fire alarms hadn’t worked, then they could have died from inhaling all of the smoke. It was that thick.”
Orange County fire crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire, which appeared to have started in the garage. While the cause of the fire was not confirmed, neighbors speculated that fireworks from the evening celebrations may have been inside the garage.
Neighbors said the family had insurance and are staying with relatives for now. The good news is no one was hurt.
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Source: wesh
