Roanoke family narrowly escapes burning home

Mollie Halpern

Published: October 13, 2008

4:44 p.m.

Smoke blows throughout this northwest neighborhood.

Its smell is what caught the attention of Ashiley Caldwell and Randy Smith who were driving by…

They stopped when they realized the house was on fire.

Caldwell says, “If we hadn’t of been here, I mean, the house was really on fire and they had no idea.“

Caldwell dialed 9-1-1, while Smith pounded on the door.

Inside, 4 adults were sound asleep.

And the gentlemen finally came to the door and she told him his house was on fire and he needed to get out, says Smith.

A 4-year old boy and a 6-year old girl had been outside playing.

The kids were the only thing Stuart Kestner says he could think about, until he learned everyone was safe.

Kestner says, “Everybody is fine, that’s all that matters.  House can be replaced, people can’t.“

The people who live here say if they hadn’t gotten a knock on that door that they would have died in the fire. And they couldn’t be more thankful for their new friend.

“So without him this day could’ve turned into a bigger tragedy than it already is, so in my eyes he’s a hero, says Kestner.

Caldwell says, “It’s very scary, I’m just glad we helped.“

An empty cage—it was once the home of two pet birds killed in the fire.

Firefighters were able to rescue 3 hamsters, and a snake.

5 dogs and one fish also survived.

Firefighters say the fire sparked here, on the back porch, where the kids were playing.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The American Red Cross is providing the victims with a place to stay.

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12:40 p.m.

Roanoke City firefighters save a hamster, snake, and five dogs from a house fire Monday afternoon.

WSLS received calls around lunchtime about smoke rising near Williamson Road and Hershberger Road.

When we arrived on the scene, we found extensive damage to a home on Curtis Avenue in Northwest Roanoke.

Firefighters tell us all six people, including two children, who live in the home got out safe.  But two birds died in the fire.

Firefighters went into the home to save the other pets.

Firefighters believe the flames sparked on the home’s back porch.  The fire is still under investigation.