Dear Editor,
I would like to thank Mr. Greg Hayes for his actions on Friday morning on his way to work. Greg, a volunteer fireman, was on his way to his business meeting (wearing a suit as he is a funeral director) when he saw that my home was on fire.
Without hesitation, Greg entered my home (an apartment building with 6 units) and got all the tenants out safely. He then proceeded to get the fire under control as best he could, after alerting the fire department.
Fortunately, Greg’s efforts kept the fire from spreading through a 115-year-old porch and entering the home.
The Shawville Clarendon Fire Department was on the spot in no time, totally extinguishing the fire and investigated as to the cause. Greg’s suit is a bit worse for the wear, but he knows better than we do what could have happened without his quick action.
We and our tenants would like to thank Greg and the Shawville Clarendon Fire Department for the great job they did and do on a regular basis.
It was a carelessly discarded cigarette butt that caused the fire and luckily for everyone it burst into flames at 9 a.m. and not 2 a.m. Otherwise we fear the outcome could have been disastrous.

Stephen and Dannie Hodgins,
Shawville, Que.