Woodstock City Council has recognized one man for springing into action when a fire broke out on Hunter Street.
WOODSTOCK - A local hero has been presented with the Civic Award of Excellence for Caring and Safety.
Terry Stere was on his way home from work on Wednesday, November 23rd 2016 when noticed thick black smoke coming from 258 Hunter Street. Stere was with the Blandford Blenheim Fire Department for 15 years so when he saw the smoke he instantly knew something was wrong.
"I [saw] the smoke and I thought that it's either a poorly burning wood stove or a house fire. I went around the block and come back and then I [saw] the flames."
The flames in front of the home were arching about 10 to 15 metres above the roof line. Stere instantly called 911 and started banging on the doors and the windows of the home until he spotted one window that was slightly open.
"I was banging on the window and hollering in there and I heard a gentleman coughing. I said, 'Come to the window! Come to the window! You can get out through the window!' Last I heard was him say, 'Help me,' and then he went quiet."
When police arrived on scene he immediately informed them about the location of the man inside. When the fire department arrived they were able to safely retrieve a 30 year old unconscious man from the building.
A large crowd gave a standing ovation when Stere was presented with the award at Woodstock City Council. Stere tells Heart FM he wasn't expecting to be honoured.
"I really don't feel I needed an award. I just would hope that the general public would do the same given the same circumstances."
Oxford OPP Briefs - Nov. 21st, 2025
Woodstock Minor Baseball Awarded Nationals
Driver Suspended in Ostrander
Cambridge Driver Charged in Norwich
Holiday Train Rolling Through Woodstock Tonight
Christmas Kettle Campaign Kicks Off in Woodstock
Festive RIDE Campaign is Back
Stunt Driver Caught in Oxford
PJHL Preview - Nov. 20th to Nov. 23rd
UPDATE: Transit Survey Deadline Extended
Public Open House for New Mount Elgin Park
Christmas Decoration Exchange Returns to Woodstock
Ella Shelton Signs Extension with Toronto
Oxford Resident Charged in Norfolk
Fifth Annual Hunter Weston Toy Drive Underway
Alert Ready Test Scheduled for Today
Trevor Birtch Trial Daily Recap - Case 2
Donations Open for Lights of Love
Stunt Drivers Busted in Oxford County
Federal Budget Survives Confidence Vote
Comments
Add a comment