'He is a hero': CTV Montreal camera operator saves man from house fire
A CTV News Montreal camera operator is being hailed as a hero after he helped a man escape a burning home over the weekend.
Cosmo Santamaria wasn't working Friday night when he saw flames shooting from a driveway on Ruisseau-des-Anges Sud in St-Roch-de-l'Achigan, about 50 km north of Montreal.
Usually, his first instinct is to take out his camera and hit record, but he says something was different this time.
"I had the phone in my hand, and I go, 'Wait a minute, the fire department is not here. I need to take charge,'" says Santamaria, who has worked as CTV's overnight patroller for 15 years.
He pulled over and spoke with a neighbour who said they had called 911 and that no one was inside the home.
"I paused for a bit, hesitated, and thought, 'there's a car parked in front of the house…I don't think the house is empty,'" he said.
He knocked on doors and windows all around the home—but no one answered.
Instead of giving up, he waited a few minutes and then tried again. Finally, a man answered the door.
"I go, 'Your car is on fire. Get your shoes on and get out of your house because the house is starting to catch fire,'" said Santamaria.
The man had been sleeping, and it appeared no fire alarm was activated, said Santamaria.
Video he captured from the scene shows the home engulfed in flames as firefighters arrive.
The fire chief for the Montcalm regional county municipality (MRC) praised Santamaria's quick thinking and selflessness.
"I think that today we can say that he is a hero because he chose not to think about himself first," said Chief François Thivierge. "I think it's important to highlight that courage, too. It's an act of civic-mindedness in itself, and it's a kind of collective contribution."
Thivierge says Santamaria will be recommended for an award for his actions.
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) says the fire is considered suspicious and it has taken over the investigation.
- With files from CTV News Montreal's Christine Long
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
China rebukes U.S., Canadian navies for Taiwan Strait transit
China's military rebuked the United States and Canada for 'deliberately provoking risk' after the countries' navies staged a rare joint sailing through the sensitive Taiwan Strait.
Alcohol policies in every province, territory receive failing grade in meeting public health standards: report
A new report has found that alcohol policies in all provinces and territories are failing to meet public health standards.
Four kids and one man drown after Quebec fishing accident: provincial police
A fishing excursion ended in tragedy on Saturday when four children died in a village in northeastern Quebec, provincial police said.
Antipsychotic drugs use increased in Canadian long-term care homes, pointing to possible quality-of-care issues: study
New study finds increase in antipsychotic drugs use in long-term care homes across Canada, despite no significant increase in behavioural symptoms – something that may expose a potential area of concern for quality of care, researchers say.
Officials declare Halifax-area wildfire largely contained as rain brings relief
Heavy rain and some military reinforcements arrived to assist efforts on Saturday to quell the wildfires that have destroyed homes and caused the evacuation of thousands of people across Nova Scotia.
Forest fires in Northern Quebec: Another 2,000 evacuated from their homes
Another northern Quebec town was evacuated due to an out of control wildfire on Saturday as the federal government confirmed that Canadian Forces personnel would be deployed to help combat forest fires in the province.
'Very good outcome' for sale of Ottawa Senators expected in the next few weeks, NHL Commissioner says
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the process to sell the Ottawa Senators is moving forward as "quickly as possible," and the New York-based company overseeing the sale is advising to "expect a very good outcome in the next few weeks."
Fighting climate change or funding fossil fuels? America wants it 'both ways': U.S. ambassador
The U.S. Ambassador to Canada says America 'absolutely wants to have it both ways' when it comes to fighting climate change while pursuing fossil fuel projects.
More than 5,000 new species discovered at future deep-sea mining site in Pacific Ocean
More than 5,000 new species have been discovered at an expansive future deep-sea mining site in the Pacific Ocean.
Toronto
-
Notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo moved to medium-security prison in Quebec
Notorious serial rapist and killer Paul Bernardo was moved to a medium-security prison in Quebec this week.
-
Suspects arrested in near-deadly Kennedy Station stabbing between 12 and 15 years old
Toronto police say the five suspects involved in a stabbing at Kennedy Station Friday night that left a man in critical condition are between the ages of 12 and 15 years old.
-
Woman dead, second adult and child both in critical condition after Brampton house fire
A woman is dead and a second adult and a child are both in critical condition after a fire broke out at a residence in Brampton on Friday night.
Atlantic
-
Officials declare Halifax-area wildfire largely contained as rain brings relief
Heavy rain and some military reinforcements arrived to assist efforts on Saturday to quell the wildfires that have destroyed homes and caused the evacuation of thousands of people across Nova Scotia.
-
City of St. John's charges 70-year-old woman for feeding pigeons in her backyard
A Newfoundland woman says her 70-year-old mother is facing a $5,000 fine for feeding pigeons in her backyard in downtown St. John's.
-
New Brunswickers stand united in support of Policy 713
A Saturday afternoon rally in Moncton highlighted support for 2SLGBTQIA+ students as the provincial government continues a controversial review.
London
-
Museum London honours the Afzaal family with a new exhibit
On Saturday, Museum London launched a brand-new display honouring the Afzaal Family
-
WATCH
WATCH | Wind turbine blaze 'contained' north of Goderich, Ont.
Todd Edginton could hardly believe his eyes when he looked out his back door to find a wind turbine on fire. He wasn’t alone, as people stopped just north of Goderich to see the spectacle unfold.
-
Teen taken to hospital after being struck by driver
A skateboarding teenager was taken to hospital after being hit by a driver in west London, Ont. on Saturday afternoon.
Northern Ontario
-
Currently 20 active forest fires in northeastern Ont.
There are 20 forest fires active in northeastern Ontario, including eight new confirmed fires reported Friday.
-
Northeastern Ontario under air quality advisories due to forest fires
Smoke plumes from Quebec are affecting air quality in northern Ontario, Environment Canada said Saturday.
-
Sudbury teacher found guilty of sexual misconduct, has licence revoked
A Sudbury teacher accused of having sex with a student has been found guilty of professional misconduct by the discipline committee of the Ontario College of Teachers.
Calgary
-
Calgary Ukrainian Festival welcomes in thousands
Thousands of people are spending the weekend soaking up Ukrainian culture and welcoming new Canadians to the city.
-
Nanton RCMP investigating 2 break and enters at golf course
Nanton RCMP are investigating a pair of break-and-enters that took place at the maintenance shop of the Nanton Golf Course.
-
Employees often 'collateral damage' when activist investors come calling
Experts say 1,500 recently announced job losses at Suncor Energy Inc. are an example of the type of "collateral damage" that can occur when an activist investor comes calling.
Kitchener
-
'He knows this area, he’s been here before': Search continues for missing man last seen three weeks ago
It’s been three weeks since a 37-year-old man with down syndrome formerly from Waterloo region, went missing.
-
'Families are struggling': Day of action held in Kitchener
A day of action held across Ontario saw the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) taking aim at a number of issues impacting community members, such as the cost of living.
-
Vancouver
-
Toddler nearly drowns in Cultus Lake
A young boy has been hospitalized after falling into Cultus Lake earlier this week.
-
BASE jumper rescued from Stawamus Chief after crashing into cliff
A BASE jumper was rescued from a ledge after he crashed on the Stawamus Chief Saturday morning.
-
2 arrested, 2 knives seized after attempted robbery near Metrotown SkyTrain station: RCMP
Two people are in custody after a report of an assault with a weapon near the Metrotown SkyTrain station Saturday morning, Burnaby RCMP say.
Edmonton
-
Alberta state of emergency to expire Sunday: Officials
As of midnight Saturday, Alberta will no longer be under a provincial state of emergency.
-
'Some hugs and some paint': Local artists rally around painter after fire destroys artwork
A local artist is starting from scratch after a fire burnt down his garage with his supplies and artwork inside.
-
Young Master Club celebrates 16 years with Taekwondo demonstration
The Young Master Club celebrated its 16th anniversary with a Taekwondo festival at the Alberta Avenue Community League, where students showcased their techniques.
Windsor
-
Amherstburg, Ont. home destroyed after vehicle collides into residential gas line, says fire chief
A vehicle crash in Amherstburg has completely destroyed a home — and the driver has been hospitalized with severe burns.
-
Rental scam discovered after multiple families respond to ad for rental home
A 43-year-old Lasalle woman has been arrested in connection to a home rental scam.
-
Windsor man charged with attempted murder after east end shooting
Multiple charges have been laid against a 40-year-old Windsor, Ont. man after he allegedly shot another man during an argument on Friday night.
Regina
-
Environment Canada warns of potential for severe thunderstorms across Saskatchewan
Canada's national weather service is yet again warning Saskatchewan residents of the threat of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes across the province.
-
'Wonderful work of art': Regina Grandmothers 4 Grandmothers mark $1M fundraising milestone
For years Grandmothers 4 Grandmothers in Regina have helped make an impact across the globe. Now they celebrate a monumental milestone, marking $1 million raised.
-
Connor Bedard marks historic win at Canadian Hockey League Awards
Connor Bedard, Regina Pats captain and highly anticipated first round NHL draft pick, marked his final hat trick in junior hockey on Saturday.
Ottawa
-
'Very good outcome' for sale of Ottawa Senators expected in the next few weeks, NHL Commissioner says
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the process to sell the Ottawa Senators is moving forward as "quickly as possible," and the New York-based company overseeing the sale is advising to "expect a very good outcome in the next few weeks."
-
Motorcyclist killed in crash south of Ottawa
Emergency crews responded to the crash involving a motorcycle and a minivan on Donnelly Drive, west of Dwyer Hill Road, just after 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
-
One person treated for life-threatening injuries after crash in Ottawa's west end
Emergency crews responded to the crash on Carling Avenue, near Kirkwood Avenue, at 3:20 p.m. Saturday.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon students say high school is censoring Pride week
Students at a Catholic school in Saskatoon say their high school is restricting and censoring Pride week celebrations.
-
Admission by donation takes effect for Saskatoon’s Diefenbaker Canada Centre
The University of Saskatchewan Diefenbaker Canada Centre (DCC) will be switching to admission by donation for guests and visitors.
-
May mosquito counts nearly double 10-year average for Saskatoon
The City of Saskatoon’s mosquito counts are up this May, but it’s still too early to tell how many will invade this summer.