As an experienced member of the media, I decided to dedicate this site
to true heroes who may not have received the recognition they deserve.
I got the idea when I heard about a teenager named Christopher Hamilton
who rescued twin baby girls from a house fire when he was only 17 years old. The local papers gave him his 15 minutes of fame,
but as time passed, so too did the memories of his heroic and selfless actions.
With this site I hope to revive the actions of individuals like this
who truly are heroes.
Tim.
The following is an exerpt from a Montreal based newspaper from February 1993:
Twins Survive Deadly House Fire
On February 13, 1993, a Franklin woman, Danielle Beadoin, gasped for
breath as she held her twin 7 month old daughters out of a second story window while her house was engulfed in flames.
A gas leak and a spark from the oven pilot light is what allegedly started the blaze.
Two elderly neighbors of Beaudoin, Harold and Annette Barker, watched
helplessly as they awaited the arrival of fire and rescue personnel. Chris Hamilton, a 17 year old high school student, was
driving from his home in Hemmingford to Ormstown when he noticed the billowing plumes of black smoke in the distance. As he
approached the home, Hamilton was waved down by Barker for assistance.
Upon assessing the situation, Hamilton climbed the side of the
home, using the eaves drainpipe and the jagged rock siding to support each ascending step. "He was like spiderman", said Annette
Barker. Hamilton was able to put one of the girls inside his winter coat and held on to the other with one hand as he climbed
back down. "I didn't have time to think about it", said Hamilton, "I just did it, but I was scared".
Hamilton reached the ground safely and the Barker's took control of the two baby girls,
who suffered minor smoke inhalation from the fumes. "When I turned around to see about helping the lady, she wasn't in the
window anymore. All I saw was fire and smoke", said Hamilton.
Soon thereafter the fire department arrived and battled the blaze which ultimately destroyed
the home.
Danielle Beaudoin succumbed to the blaze, leaving behind her two daughters and her husband
of three years.
David Beaudoin, the girls' father, was at work during the incident: "I
can't believe Danny (Danielle) is gone, but at least I still have my babies".
A funeral will be held on Saturday, February 18th at Saint
George's United Church in Franklin. A college fund for the Beaudoin girls has been set up by the Franklin Fire House. Donations
can be made anytime.
