A family of five was forced to escape from their burning home in Dartmouth early this morning.
Neighbours tell Global News the blaze at 186 Princess Margaret Blvd. broke out around 2:10 a.m. on Friday and began with the sound of an explosion.
The neighbours describe how the family tossed out a mattress. Then, a man who had been burned, jumped out of a second-storey window at the front of the townhouse.
Once the man was outside, witnesses say the mother passed three children out of the window to him before jumping out of the burning building herself.
Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Services says the fire was fully involved by the time firefighters arrived.
“Evidence outside suggested there was an explosion. The windows were blown across the street as well with the door,” said Deputy Chief Roy Hollett. “There were five people outside: three children, two adults. One adult was severely burned and taken to the hospital.”
A firefighter was also injured and transported to hospital, but has since been released.
READ: Suspicious fire in Dartmouth displaces a dozen people
Forty firefighters responded to the fire and were on scene for five hours.
“Our investigation so far has determined that the fire and explosion started in the furnace room but at this point we don’t know why,” said Hollett.
He adds the furnace had recently been inspected.
A GoFundMe page was set up by a neighbour on Friday morning to help the family with donations of money, clothing, and food.
According to the Canadian Red Cross, the tenants in the two units on either side have been displaced as well due to smoke and water damage.
“There are at least three families we’re standing by to assist if they need it,” said spokesperson Dan Bedell.
— With a files from Natasha Pace and Steve Silva
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