Renfrew – Five members of a Horton Township family were transported to hospital Tuesday morning after escaping from the second-storey of their large brick farmhouse on Burnstown Road.

The Horton Township fire department was dispatched to the structure fire at 324 Burnstown Road shortly after 11 o’clock. A short time later, McNab-Braeside Township was requested to send two tankers and personnel to assist with fighting the fire and transporting water from a hydrant in nearby Renfrew.

The County of Renfrew paramedic service had three transport units and two community paramedics on scene with Commanders Amber Hultink and Dave Libby. Five people were transported to hospital, one with an ankle injury, one with throat irritation/respiratory issues, and three for assessment. A fourth unit was also on scene as standby and to provide rehab for firefighters.

OPP officers from Renfrew handled traffic on Burnstown Road. Northbound traffic towards Renfrew was allowed to travel the road but southbound traffic was rerouted away from the scene because of the number of emergency vehicles along the roadway. Hydro Ontario crews were also on scene to disconnect power. which was reduced to one-lane of traffic.

Rae-Ellen Fraser is a sister-in-law and next door neighbour of Earl and Karen Fraser, who own the residence which has been in the Fraser family for several generations. She told the Leader she was at work at Home Hardware in Renfrew when she was advised of the fire by another neighbour and hurried home.

Mrs. Fraser said Earl and Karen are at least the third generation of the Fraser family to reside in the farmhouse. She said eight people reside at the residence including the Frasers, their four children, and one grandchild, but she was unsure how many were home at the time of the fire.

“But everyone is accounted for,” she remarked.

 When she arrived home, Mrs. Fraser said the fire was already well advanced. She could not confirm some of the family were forced to jump from the second-storey of the home to safety.

She said her brother-in-law is a tradesman employed with the Renfrew County District School Board.