Windsor man rushes into burning home to help wheelchair-bound neighbour, dogs
A Windsor man who uses a wheelchair, his seven-year-old grandson and two chihuahuas are thanking a neighbor who rushed into their burning home to help them escape.
It happened on Woodward Boulevard near Moxlay Avenue around 5 p.m. on Thursday.
Windsor fire tells CTV News crews arrived on scene to find a lot of smoke — mostly billowing from the home’s garage.
But it’s what happened before firefighters arrived that stands out, when Youseff Mocheimech says he saw the smoke and didn’t hesitate before rushing into the home to help.
He says he worried for his wheelchair-bound neighbor, Peter Morgan.
“I busted the door open, put the shirt over my mouth and ran inside to pull him out,” said Mocheimech.
“I helped him with his wheelchair then I ran back inside to get all his medicine out.”
Peter Morgan, who is wheelchair-bound, and his two chihuahuas were rescued from a ho use fire on Aug. 18, 2022. (Travis Fortnum/CTV News Windsor)Morgan has lived in the home for six years. He says he’s seen Mocheimech around and knew it was a friendly neighbourhood but this goes beyond.
“Thank goodness for great neighbours,” said Morgan.
According to Windsor fire, the cause of the blaze is now under investigation but there’s no evidence to suggest criminality at this time.
Morgan says he has a theory as to what started the fire. “I got this new blowtorch and it hasn’t been working right,” he said. “It’s possible I knocked it over and that may have started it.”
He said after working with the tool in his garage, he, his grandson and the two dogs were in the house when the smoke detectors started going off.
Youssef Mocheimech told CTV News he didn’t hesitate to rush into the burning home on Aug. 18, 2022. (Travis Fortnum/CTV News Windsor)“I went into the garage and my work bench was all on fire,” Morgan said.
He doesn’t know if he would’ve been able to get the dogs out without Mocheimech’s help.
As for that heroic neighbour? He said he never thought twice before running into the home.
“I just love helping people,” said Mocheimech.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.