Four individuals, including two teenagers and an infant, have been saved from a rapidly spreading house fire by an off-duty RCMP officer who acted swiftly to assist a frantic man in rescuing his family through a basement window.
Constable Anton Lorde, a 10-year veteran of the RCMP, was heading home from his shift on July 18 when he noticed a thick plume of dark smoke rising into the air. Following the smoke, he arrived at Mount Pleasant Street in the Whitney Pier neighborhood of Sydney, N.S., where a house was engulfed in flames with fire visible from the front, sides, and roof.
Initially assuming the house was empty due to the presence of bystanders, Lorde began clearing the street for incoming fire trucks. However, after learning from a neighbor that several people, including children, resided there, he sprang into action.
Directed to the backyard by the neighbor, Lorde leaped over a fence and started banging on windows of the burning structure, checking each one for potential occupants. He made eye contact with a frightened boy peering through the blinds before the child disappeared from view.
Subsequently, the boy’s father emerged, and amidst the chaos, Lorde and the man worked together to rescue the trapped family members. The father, later identified as Peter Magliaro, recounted the harrowing experience of rushing home upon hearing about the fire, navigating through intense heat, and focusing on saving his children.
Magliaro, with assistance from a relative, managed to evacuate the rest of the children, including his teenage son and stepdaughters, ages 15 and 22, through a basement window. Lorde, who was not in uniform at the time, aided in rescuing a four-month-old baby girl from the burning building.
While some details of the rescue remain blurry to Lorde, he acknowledges the collaborative effort involving himself, Magliaro, and others. Despite being hailed as a hero by witnesses, Lorde humbly stated that he was simply fulfilling his duty.
Following the incident, authorities swiftly responded to the fire, with fire crews arriving within minutes. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, with Magliaro suspecting foul play and offering a reward for information leading to the apprehension of those responsible.
Currently displaced and residing in temporary accommodation, Magliaro remains determined to rebuild his home, relying on personal savings after discovering the property was uninsured. The community has rallied behind the family during this challenging time, with support pouring in for their recovery efforts.