Witnesses recall Sylvia Street fire

Officials say they got a call around 1:30 a.m. in regards to a fire on the corner of Greenmount Avenue and Sylvia Street. When they arrived, the home was filled with smoke and flames.

Lawrence Mays, a resident in the neighborhood says, “When I pulled up I smelled the smell. I knew something was wrong before I hit the corner. Once I got down there I saw a lot of fire trucks.”

When crews arrived, there were two mothers on the roof. We’re told a neighbor grabbed a ladder to help. However, fire crews stepped in with their own ladders and helped the women to safety.  Meanwhile, a young boy escaped through the back door of the house.  However another boy, just two-years-old, was trapped inside his room on the second floor.

Joe Bellia, another neighbor says, “For the 45 seconds where there’s a child in the house and the firemen went in, it felt like five minutes. The suspense of everything to make sure the child is okay. What a relief when you see the firemen emerge with a child.”

Officials say the folks inside were lucky, but also prepared.

Deputy State Fire Marshal Kirby Travers says, “The reason it worked out as well as it did for the people is because smoke alarms worked, there were some doors shut in the house that prevented a lot of smoke from spreading, and then a quick response from the fire department.”

Travers calls this incident a clear example of how properly fire-proofing your home can be the difference between life and death. He says the hallway leading up to the two-year-old’s bedroom was completely burned, but not his room itself.

Travers goes on, “When you open the door, there’s no damage at all. I mean that door being shut, it’s probably safe to say it probably saved his life.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but officials do believe it started in the living room.

An unconscious dog was also rescued from the home and regained consciousness after first responders applied an animal oxygen mask.

There’s also been a Gofundme page set up to help the family. It’s under the name “The Clarke Family Fire Recovery Fund.”

For those without computer access, the Market Street Inn in Salisbury is accepting cash and check donations.