An Ottawa girl “walked by way of fireplace” to save lots of her youngest son from their burning home earlier this week, her mom stated.
Stephanie McDougall, 43, was critically injured within the fireplace on Twyford Avenue on the evening of Dec. 3. She stays in hospital.
McDougall’s mom Beth Conway described her daughter as a “light soul” who’s dedicated to her three sons. When the fireplace broke out, McDougall “needed to cross the trail of the fireplace” to achieve the bed room of her 11-year-old, her mom stated.
McDougall then collapsed within the kitchen the place she and her son had been discovered and rescued by firefighters.
“We all know Stephanie saved [her son’s] life and he or she walked by way of fireplace to get him,” Conway stated.
McDougall stays in secure situation on the Civic campus of The Ottawa Hospital the place she’s on life assist as a consequence of lung harm attributable to the smoke. Conway stated she’ll keep there two or three weeks earlier than being transferred to a burn rehab centre in Toronto.
McDougall’s 11-year-old son stays at CHEO. Her two older sons had been in a position to make it out of the home on their very own and had been additionally taken to hospital. They’ve since been discharged and have been staying with their father, Conway stated.
Fireplace below investigation
Ottawa Fireplace Providers stated it obtained a name about an odour of pure gasoline close to a three-storey townhome on Twyford Avenue, about 9 kilometres south of Ottawa’s downtown core.
When firefighters arrived, they noticed smoke coming from the aspect of the constructing and compelled their approach inside. They heard screams for assist coming from the kitchen, the place they discovered McDougall and her youngest son.
The reason for the fireplace is below investigation.
Conway stated medical doctors have woken McDougall up a few occasions to speak together with her and provide updates about her sons.
“I feel it supplies her some aid to know that everyone is OK as a result of that is the one factor she’s involved about,” Conway stated.
Neighbours rally round household
Conway stated McDougall is a single mom who “solely cares concerning the elevating of her kids,” certainly one of whom has a incapacity.
“She does not ever exit within the night as a result of she has a toddler at house that wants fixed supervision,” Conway stated. “Her solely focus is taking good care of her pets and her kids. That is what her life is about, interval.”
Firefighters additionally rescued a cat from the burning house.
Conway stated she is going to quickly transfer into a brand new housing unit that is been offered to her so she will take care of her grandchildren.
In the meantime, McDougall’s neighbours have began accumulating garments and different donations. A web-based fundraiser has additionally been began to gather cash for the household.
“I began accumulating garments for the boys as a result of I do know that they they misplaced all the things,” stated neighbour Annik Gagné.
“She wouldn’t imagine that folks would rally round her the best way that they’re,” Conway stated of her daughter.
“She does not search for consideration or ask for very a lot assist…. I do not suppose she’ll be capable to comprehend how a lot assistance is reaching out to her and her household.”
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