Although the family was uninjured in the fire, which was reported around 4:25 a.m. Wednesday, their dog and her puppies died in the blaze.
Wayne Cameron, co-owner of the historic home, said the family renting the home was shaken up from the fire.
Cameron also praised the father of the family, who helped other family members get out.
The front side of the home was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived, said East River fire chief Rod MacDonald, adding the father was alerted to the fire by the dog.
“He heard the dog barking and woke up one kid, his wife was in the living room asleep and then he ran upstairs to the other child,” said MacDonald.
MacDonald said the fire showed the importance of checking smoke detectors.
“Especially with the glue and plastic used in newer construction, every second counts,” he said. “This house was older construction made of wooden boards and took longer to ignite. That would have saved their lives.”
Members of four other volunteer department — Morell, Mount Stewart, North Shore and Crossroads — also provided assistance.
The Canadian Red Cross is providing aid to the family. The family is staying with relatives, while disaster volunteers have assisted with emergency purchases of clothing and food.
Cameron was unsure of exactly when the home was built, although it was originally constructed by the MacLauchlan family who arrived in the area from Scotland in 1806.
Cameron’s father later purchased the home in 1945.
“It’s been in our family since,” said Cameron, who grew up in the home. “It was a bit of a catastrophe, the termination of the old family homestead.”
After speaking to the provincial fire marshal, Cameron said it appears the fire may have originated from an electric heater.
He thanked the firefighters who attempted to save the home, which is a total loss.
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