The Mackenzie-Hawe Family’s Post-Fire Journey to Safety with iMist

Background

In September 2019, the Mackenzie-Hawe family from Aberdeenshire, consisting of newlyweds Sandra and Andy, their 2 children, 3 dogs and 2 cats, experienced an unimaginable tragedy while on their honeymoon. During their absence, a devastating fire ravaged their family home, destroying their possessions and, heartbreakingly, the fire also took the lives of 3 of their pets. Even though their children, who were at home with the pets, managed to evacuate safely thanks to a rehearsed evacuation plan, the emotional toll of experiencing the fire and trying to rescue their pets was immense. The couple not only had to deal with the loss of their cherished animals but also the complete devastation of their home.

The Incident

The fire, which started in the kitchen in the early morning, spread rapidly through the house. Despite their children’s successful evacuation through the upstairs window, the fire service’s response time of 29 minutes was not quick enough to save the structure or its contents. The cause of the fire was later determined to be an electrical fault in their freezer, highlighting the unpredictable nature of such disasters and the importance of effective fire safety measures.

Mrs Mackenzie-Hawe said: “I have always had a fear of fire and so we had lots of smoke alarms. That door being closed, and those smoke alarms saved the lives of my children.

“The part of the house where the roof caved in is my son Jamie’s bedroom.

“Having been forced to climb out an upstairs window due to the smoke, our brave boys then re-entered the burning building with a towel over Jamie’s face due to the thick smoke, and as a result he managed to save the life of one of the dogs.

“Their loss is what we grieve most.

“Possessions can be replaced but we adored those animals.”

The Aftermath

In the wake of the fire, Sandra and Andy faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives and their home. They were determined to ensure that their new home would be as safe as possible, preventing such a tragedy from ever happening again. The Mackenzie Hawe’s decided to install the iMist Fire Suppression System in their rebuilt property for their own peace of mind.

Installation and Peace of Mind

The installation process was seamless, completed by iMist’s team who ensured that every detail was meticulously attended to.

With the iMist system in place, Sandra and Andy now have peace of mind; Sandra commented that having the iMist™ System installed helped her sleep at night, knowing her family and animals were protected in the unfortunate event of another fire. The system’s discreet nozzles and minimal water usage provide a sense of security without the bulkiness of traditional sprinkler systems. The Mackenzie-Hawe’s can now focus on rebuilding their lives, knowing that their home is safeguarded against the threat of fire.

Conclusion

The tragic fire that destroyed the Mackenzie-Hawe family’s home and took their cherished pets was a stark reminder of the unpredictability of life and the importance of preparedness. Despite having a rehearsed evacuation plan, the fire service’s response time of 29 minutes was insufficient to prevent the extensive damage. Through their ordeal, they have emerged stronger and more resilient, turning their tragedy into a testament to the importance of advanced fire safety systems.

The Mackenzie-Hawe family’s experience serves as an inspiring example for all homeowners to prioritise fire safety and invest in reliable solutions like iMist, ensuring their homes and loved ones are always protected and underscores the critical need for effective fire protection in every home.

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