North Carolina mom thanks firefighters for saving her and her family during fire: ‘They were my angels’
By Jon Dowding
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MORRISVILLE, North Carolina (WTVD) — A Morrisville mother shares her experience being saved by firefighters during Monday night’s fire at the Camden Westwood Apartments.
A fire started on the balcony outside of a first-floor apartment on Monday, then quickly spread up the building. The flames moved through the attic, engulfing the entire top floor of the building.
Amanda Blanchard says she, her husband, and her 10-month-old daughter live in a third-floor apartment in the complex. They just moved there in November.
She says the evening started normally. Her husband came home from work, and she was heating a bottle for her daughter, when she smelled smoke.
I said, we’re trapped. Like, we’re trapped, – Amanda Blanchard
“When I went to the door to open it up, I was just met with a wall of smoke and fire,” she said.
ABC11 asked Blanchard whether her smoke detectors went off.
“No, I didn’t hear anything,” said Blanchard. “The only time I was aware of a fire was when I opened that door and saw fire.”
She shut their front door, went to their balcony, and was met by heavy black smoke.
“I said, we’re trapped. Like, we’re trapped,” she said. “I don’t know if anyone knows we’re here.”
Scared and not sure of a way out, she grabbed her phone.
“I called 911, and I said … I have a 10-month-old baby. We’re stuck. Help us,” said Blanchard.
Moments later, she heard a heavy knocking on her door from the firefighters who came there to rescue her and her family. She shared a tearful message for them as she shared her experience.
“They were my angels. My angels, for sure,” she said. “Thank you. Thank you for getting us out and not leaving us behind.”
Blanchard and her family are staying at a local hotel as they find a new place to call home.
Still, she is so thankful for the help from her neighbors and the Morrisville community.
“The amount of love I’m feeling from everyone around is incredible. For someone who’s not even grown up here. It’s amazing,” she said. “Check your fire alarms. Check that your documents are safe. Make a plan. Cherish your loved ones. That’s all I can say.”
ABC11 reached out to Camden about her claim that her smoke detectors did not go off during the fire. They have not returned our request for comment.
If you want to help affected residents like Blanchard, the property group shared details here about how you can help.
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