'A crazy scene': Teen describes escape from burning New Westminster home
It was early Tuesday morning when Anthony Gomez awoke to the sound of people banging on the door of his home in New Westminster.
“People were screaming ‘Fire, fire, someone call 911,’” the 18-year-old said in an interview with CTV News.
He quickly discovered a scene he will never forget.
“I see my back patio engulfed in flames and it was just a crazy scene. And my mom comes out of her room, obviously in a panic,” he explained.
Gomez said his mom was initially hesitant to leave.
“I told her to back away, get away from there, we have to get out of here as soon as possible. Just forget everything, leave (it) behind,” he recalled.
All six people inside the home got out safely.
Multiple cats and a pet turtle were also rescued from the house fire in the Queensborough neighbourhood.
Firefighters were called to the home on McGillivray Place near the Queensborough Bridge around 6:30 a.m., according to Gord Denhoed, acting assistant fire chief for New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services.
When they arrived, crews found "really heavy involvement of fire" at the back of the home, Denhoed said.
Video shared with CTV News by a neighbour shows flames ripping through the building's second floor. In it, someone can be seen using a garden hose to spray water at the blaze before firefighters arrived.
Crews determined that all residents of the home had gotten out safely, Denhoed said, adding that "a couple of cats" and a turtle had been rescued, and no significant injuries had occurred to either residents or firefighters.
"Fortunately, we were able to contain the fire from spreading to the adjacent structures," the acting assistant chief added.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
Gomez said his mom had insurance and they are staying with family until they figure out what’s next.
Despite what they’ve lost, he’s grateful everyone is okay, especially his mom.
“That is something I hope to never relive,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been 'successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant.'
Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
U.S. authorities have arrested 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Harris pushes Netanyahu to ease suffering in Gaza: 'I will not be silent'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.