Southwick Mother Breaks Window To Save Baby From Fire
SOUTHWICK (CBS) -- A Southwick mother broke a window to save her baby from inside a burning home on Christmas Eve.
The fire started just before midnight in a lakeside home on Two States Avenue, Southwick police said.
The family had returned home late Christmas Eve from a party, put their toddler Samuel to bed and then smelled smoke. Their unit was on the basement level of the three family home in Southwick and access was limited at best.
The mother couldn't reach Samuel's bedroom from the inside, so as her home burned to the ground, she broke into his room from the outside, saving his life.
"Just as they came out the flames erupted," neighbor Gary Dillon said. "I mean, the flames were almost twice as high as the house. It was pretty scary."
All three were hospitalized for minor burns and smoke inhalation.
The woman and her boyfriend were taken to Bay State Medical Center. Two-year old Samuel was rushed to Shriners Hospital in Boston.
Investigators aren't sure what sparked the fire, but know the family Christmas tree helped contribute.
"They dry out over time and then any flame they go up," Southwick Fire chief Richard Anderson said. "There's nothing in your home that burns as hot as a Christmas tree. So, you really need to be careful."
The fire is still under investigation.
The Red Cross is assisting the family and a fundraising page has been established.
WBZ-TV's Julie Loncich contributed to this report.
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