Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 11/00) - It was mid-morning on March 11 when black smoke quickly poured from a burning double-wide trailer in Yellowknife as fire violently attacked the home.

A resident on Knutsen Avenue watched his neighbour, pregnant and in slippers, carry out a one-year-old child with another sock-footed toddler in tow.

There were 178 fire calls in 1998 and 121 calls reported in 1999

The woman and her two small boys took shelter in the neighbour's home and waited anxiously for the fire department to arrive. When they did, the house was filled by heavy smoke and flames and most belongings inside were destroyed.

Leslie Suchlandt was overtaken with emotion at having everything her family owned taken away.

"It was the worst experience of my life and that's the only way I can explain it," she said months after the tragedy. "We lost everything in our house except the baby pictures."

Suchlandt watched the flames eat away her home for a while, then left her neighbour's home to go to her mother's for comfort and support.

"I just gave up and left," she said.

She explained how the fire detector sent out a piercing shriek at about 10 a.m. that day. Thinking it was nothing more than a technical glitch, she explored the hallway. She noticed a temperature change in that part of the house but still didn't think much of it.

Then she saw black smoke coming from under her bedroom door.

"I opened it and saw fire on the bed," Suchlandt said. "I don't even know how it started."

She grabbed her boys, who didn't seem very bothered by the situation, and got them quickly and safely outside.

"Jeremy lost everything," she explained with obvious concern for her oldest child. "He lost his clothes, his books, his movies ... he was very upset. He lost his brand new blanket his grandmother made him for Christmas.

Prevention and planning

Mike Lowing, deputy fire chief at the Yellowknife Fire Department, said smoke detectors are the most important resource that ensures you get out of a burning home unharmed. Working detectors coupled with a fire escape plan are essential.

"The plan won't work if the smoke alarm is disconnected, there are no batteries or it doesn't work," he said. "Those over 10-years-old have a 30 per cent failure rate."

Other things to keep in mind is whether babysitters are aware of the plan. As well, sleepovers are very confusing events, Lowing said, and whether children are staying at another home or in their own, all must be aware of an escape plan.

Other things to keep in mind are pets and how, if possible, they should be included in the escape plan.

When determining an escape route, Lowing also recommends people keep in mind the cold weather in Yellowknife.

"It's pretty hard to get out a window if it's frozen shut," he said.

Suchlandt said in her case there's not much she could have done differently.

"The only thing I would have done is taught Jeremy more about fire safety," she said.

"Even if they're not old enough to understand, try to make them understand because, I tell you, it's sure devastating when you lose everything."

Determining a home escape plan:

1. Develop a floor plan.
2. Show two ways out of every area.
3. Review escape routes.
4. Determine a meeting place outside.
5. Determine a place to go and call for help.
6. Practice! Have children start in the bedroom with the door closed and activate the smoke alarm.
7. Have a working smoke alarm.