Shawn Trahan and his wife Vicki Silver were at the right place at the right time Saturday afternoon when a fire broke out in the community of Nictaux.
Shortly before 3PM on Saturday, Shawn and Vicki had just left skating after Shawn had taken a tumble on the ice. They were on their way home to get some Tylenol and a heating pad.
Even being an amputee, Shawn still lives his life like nothing changed after losing his leg in 2004.
I had the opportunity to catch up with the couple on Wednesday afternoon in Greenwood after an emotional weekend.
They recall driving through Nictaux when they spotted heavy smoke coming from the back of a home on Highway 10.
They looked around and didn’t see anyone and quickly pulled over.
“You call 911, I’m going to check the house.” Vicki recalled Shawn saying.
Shawn sprung into action, forgetting about the fall on the ice, and ran towards the house yelling “fire, fire, fire.”
Vicki remembers Shawn disappearing into the thick smoke, as it was getting worse, only hearing him shouting, while she was on 911.
Shawn continued through the smoke to the back of the home where it was fully involved in fire, unable to locate anyone.
The driveway had an empty parking spot outlined by snow where someone had left, but he continued calling out, knowing he had to make sure no one was home.
Shawn ran around the house continuing to yell fire. He made his way to the front door where he tripped on the steps. Pulling himself up, he got to the door and knocked twice and the door slightly opened.
“After I opened the door all the way, I could see a girl holding a baby, with fire behind them.” Trahan said.
Shawn guided them out of the burning home as the fire was getting worse. The girl didn’t have shoes on so he quickly tried to find a pair, but there weren’t any seen. They navigated their way to the door with heavy smoke surrounding them.
They stepped out of the home, Shawn shutting the door on the way out. There was so much smoke they weren’t sure where to go.
“She asked me which way to go, I said wait a minute and I waited for a clear spot in the sky, and we made our way out, and we made it to the driveway.” Shawn recalled.
Shawn and the children made it out safely after some persistent efforts to make sure no one was in the home.
Vicki remembers not seeing Shawn for a while and his yelling stopped. She was relieved when Shawn appeared from the smoke.
The children were quickly taken to the neighbours while Shawn and Vicki moved their vehicle.
Despite falling on the ice and being an amputee, Shawn didn’t hesitate to jump in and help.
Vicki describes Shawn as “Running like an Olympian” when he ran to help.
Even though you have a disability, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it any better than someone else.
After the fire, Shawn went to the hospital due to some smoke inhalation. He’s feeling a lot better now and in good spirits.
With some firefighting experience, Trahan spent two years with the Berwick Fire Department and also spent some time on the MERT team during his 30-year career at the Waterville Michelin Plant.
Even at age 55, while living with a disability, he wants the public not to sell someone with a disability short. They could be the ones to save your life someday.
Approximately 40 firefighters were called in to assist Nictaux Fire on Saturday afternoon.
Firefighters battled cold temperatures and a heavy fire load on arrival.
“I was the first officer on scene. The back side of the structure was on fire at the time of my arrival.” Stated Nictaux Deputy Fire Chief Jason Veinotte.
On his arrival, he requested his second alarm, bringing in assistance from Middleton, Lawrencetown, Kingston, Bridgetown, Port Lorne, Margaretsville & Aylesford.
Nova Scotia Power, Annapolis District RCMP and the Department of Public Works also assisted.
EHS Paramedics assessed multiple patients on scene. There were no reported injuries as a result of the fire.
The Canadian Red Cross was also contacted as 6 occupants were displaced.
The Nova Scotia Fire Marshals office was also been contacted and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
“Always check, always check, if there’s a house on fire, don’t just make the phone call, try and check.” Stated Vicki and Shawn.
If there was one thing that could be taken from this, it was that looks can be deceiving. Even though the driveway was empty, someone was still home.
Kudos to your heroic efforts, truly something you should be proud of.
There is a Go Fund Me page set up to help the family located below:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/muriel-wood-and-her-5-grandchildren
Adrian J.
