City of Vaughan employee's quick thinking stops fire from taking turn for worse

Thornhill fire could have resulted in thousands of dollars in damages, death of family pet

Yorkregion.com
June 12, 2023
Brian Capitao

A City of Vaughan employee has received the fire chief’s commendation for an act of bravery.

Adrian Goodridge, who works as a road patroller for the city, helped prevent a fire from causing a lot of damage on March 15, 2023.

“She was outside in her driveway, and she was screaming, frantically, waving her hands and was asking for help. So I pulled over. She was telling me that her house was on fire. Kitchen was on fire,” Goodridge tells the Vaughan Citizen.

Goodridge then entered the premises at 28 Theodore Pl. in Thornhill to help put out the fire by grabbing a fire extinguisher from the city vehicle.

“I grabbed the fire extinguisher, which was inside of the city vehicle. Just because we are city vehicles, we have first aid kits, fire extinguishers, all the things that you may need in case of an emergency. And just because I had the training, I was aware that we had one under the seat,” said Goodridge.

Goodridge ran into the basement and helped extinguish the flames.

“It was actually located in the basement of her home and her oven was on fire. Literally flames coming out of the tray at the bottom and there was flames coming out of the actual oven, like probably about chest height. And basically, I just ensured the oven was turned off, and I pulled the pin on the fire extinguisher, and I let it rip and put out the flames,” said Goodridge.

While there was no risk to human life, the fire that occurred in Thornhill could have been disastrous for the family pet.

“They had a family pet that was trapped upstairs. Luckily, all personnel were evacuated from the home, so no human lives. But a family pet that was trapped on the second floor by the smoke,” said Andrew Zvanitajs, fire chief for Vaughan Fire and Rescue Services.

Zvanitajs was surprised to learn the good Samaritan was a City of Vaughan employee. So he decided to give Adrian a fire chief’s commendation for his good work.

“So it’s an award that the fire chiefs have given out historically for acts of extreme goodwill, teamwork, deeds that go above and beyond are actions that reflect great, great credit on yourself or an organization,” said Zvanitajs.

This is Zvanitajs’ first commendation as current fire chief for Vaughan Fire and Rescue Services since he first took on the role two years ago.

“I was extremely proud to meet Adrian and commend him in front of council,” said Zvanitajs.