CROSS ROADS, P.E.I. — Erin and Jamie Smith say they wouldn’t be alive today if it hadn’t been for the heroic actions of their nine-year-old son, Camdyn.
On May 22, a fire gutted the side of the duplex the family was living in, but the Smith family made it out in time.
Camdyn said he woke up to the smell of smoke around 5:30 a.m. But, he didn’t panic.
The youngster said he got out of bed and quickly walked to his bedroom door.
“I felt my door and then I felt my doorknob,’’ the nine-year-old told The Guardian on Monday, two days after receiving an honorary firefighter plaque from the Cross Roads Fire Department for his actions.
“My door wasn’t warm, so I just checked down the hall and in the kitchen and the living room and then I went into my parents’ room.’’
Erin said Camdyn tapped her on the leg and said, “Mommy, I’m sorry to wake you, but I smell smoke.’’
Erin said she and Jamie bolted out of bed.
Erin checked the back end of the house while Jamie went to the front.
“I didn’t see the flames until I looked outside,’’ Erin said. “We got out as quickly as we could out the backway and as soon as we were out the whole backyard was engulfed in smoke.’’
Jamie said the wind was blowing strong against the back of the house, adding that they lost sight of their home from the backyard within seconds.
Camdyn quickly told his parents to cover their mouths with their hands to protect them from the smoke and led them to a clearing over at the neighbours.
Erin immediately called 911, and she and Jamie then started banging on the door of the people who lived on the other side of the duplex, who were also able to escape.
In addition, they were able to move their car safely out of the driveway.
During this time – really, just a matter of seconds – the couple could hear their smoke alarms going off, but Erin wonders to this day if they would have had enough time to get out if they were still asleep when they went off.
“As soon as we got outside, we couldn’t see a thing … the whole roof was on fire at that point.’’
The Smith’s 19-year-old son, Brayden, wasn’t home at the time of the fire.
HERO'S AWARD
The plaque given to nine-year-old Camdyn Smith reads:
“In recognition of your quick response to the house fire that occurred which saved the lives of your family and neighbours on May 22, 2020, honorary firefighter Camdyn Smith."
David Walsh, fire captain with the Cross Roads Fire Department, said they arrived on scene at 5:40 a.m. and found the house was fully involved.
Walsh said Camdyn’s actions cannot be overstated.
“Camdyn followed excellent fire safety practices when he awoke to the smell of smoke,’’ Walsh said, praising the youngster for reviewing his surroundings, feeling his bedroom door for heat and alerting his parents.
“It’s exactly this type of experience that we would like others to learn from. Although the house was a loss, Camdyn’s actions that morning saved his family from what may have been a much worse outcome. We are very proud of Camdyn.’’
Erin, an early childhood educator, said they always made sure Camdyn’s bed was near his bedroom window in case he had to get out that way.
Erin and Jamie added that they always went over what to do in the event of a fire with their son and took him repeatedly to tours of the fire department for fire safety messages.
“He was calm the whole time,’’ Erin said of those early morning hours of May 22, although Camdyn is quick to inject that his heart was pounding the whole time.
Erin chokes back tears when asked to put her son’s actions into words.
“I mean, he is already super special and awesome, you and your brother,’’ she says, her eyes welling with tears. “We owe our lives to him because we wouldn’t be here without him.’’
Jamie looks at Camdyn but can’t find the right words. However, the expression on his face says it all.
Erin said friends, family and neighbours have helped the family with clothes and money. They're not asking the public for anything.
But, if there is one thing they hope people take away from this story it’s the importance of educating children about fire safety.
“If he didn’t have that education, we might not be here.’’
