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Elderly fire victim grateful for neighbourhood rescuers who likely saved her life

Mary Labuz's Howey Drive home was victim of suspected arson on eve of her 83rd birthday

Mary Labuz is celebrating a birthday today. She turned 83.

And yesterday, at approximately 5 p.m., someone started a fire outside the side door of her Howey Drive home at the corner of Van Horne Street, where she has lived for 50 years.

Investigators have ruled that the fire was deliberately set and a criminal investigation is underway.

While the damage to the home is not extensive, Labuz, who lives alone, was upstairs napping at the time of the fire.

She and her son, John, who lives in southern Ontario and rushed to Sudbury to be by his mother's side when he heard the news, credit the assistance of a handful of Good Samaritan neighbours for getting her out of her burning home safely.

“I could have died,” said Labuz, who speaks very little English. 

She hails from a small town close to Kraków, Poland. Sudbury.com spoke to her mostly through her son, who translated.

“Don't say that,” he replied, clearly shaken by the events.

Labuz's account of the incident is fragmented — it all happened within the span of five minutes, she said.

“The front door opened,” she said. “It was very fast.”

From what the two have pieced together, while Labuz was asleep above, a man passing by noticed the flames and broke down the front door to gain access to the home, which is well known in the neighbourhood for the extensive garden Labuz keeps. A woman next door was also alerted to the fire and came over to assist.

By the time emergency responders arrived, Labuz had made it out of the home safely and without injury. Firefighters were able to quickly put out the blaze.

Another neighbour, who happened to be driving by and speaks Polish, stopped at the house and was able to serve as an interpreter for first responders.

“There was too much noise,” said Labuz. “There was police, fire. People (shouting).”

There are reports that a fourth woman may have joined in the rescue, but Sudbury.com has not confirmed that.

The scene was quickly deemed suspicious by firefighters, and the Greater Sudbury Police and the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal are conducting an investigation.

The fire marshal's office has now completed their initial investigation and referred Sudbury.com to the GSPS.

Spokesperson Kaitlyn Dunn provided few details, except to confirm that police are investigating the fire as arson. They have no suspects.

Today, both the front and side doors of the home are sealed with plywood and a large soot stain can be seen on the exterior brick facade. 

Inside the home, the area around the door frame where the fire was set is charred and the walls are covered with soot. During our interview with the Labuz's, the smoke alarm periodically chimed as thick smoke lingered in the air.

Although the smoke poses a significant health hazard, Labuz said she has no intention of leaving.

Earlier today, Sudbury.com spoke to a friend of Labuz as she was leaving the home. She said Labuz is a staunchly independent woman and is renowned in the neighbourhood both for her lush garden and the immaculate condition of her home.

On Sudbury.com, readers who live in the area expressed sadness the woman's home was targeted and many raved about her gardening prowess.

“OMG, her home and gardens are beautiful,” one reader wrote. “She is always working outside. The coward who did this to a senior citizen should be in jail.“

“Hope whoever did this is caught and prosecuted,” wrote another. “She's an icon in Minnow Lake. The best flower garden around.”

“So happy she's safe,” wrote another. “I love that house. That women keeps her yard immaculate and her garden is always stunning. I love driving by in the summer to see her flowers.”

Damage to the home is now being assessed and the clean up is just beginning.

Two doors will need to be replaced, the smoke-damaged walls will need repairs, the air needs to be scrubbed and every piece of fabric in the home — from clothing to curtains — will need to be washed.

Labuz and her son said they are overwhelmed by the support they have received from neighbours and, in particular, are very grateful for the assistance of the fast-acting bystanders. Without their intervention, it could have been a very different story, they said.

“There's a lot of people who helped and all the comments you had on your story,” John said. “We'd just like to thank all the people that helped.”

“(My) neighbours (are) very good, very good,” Labuz adds.

Police ask anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the neighbourhood  leading up to the time of the fire, or who may have security camera footage of the area, to report it.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Sudbury Police at 705-675-9171 or Crime Stoppers at 705-222-TIPS, online at www.sudburycrimestoppers.com or by texting TIPSUD and the information to CRIMES (274637). 


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About the Author: Patrick Demers

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