BY WENDY ELLIOTT

Kings County Register

A Wolfville mother and her three children fled from a burning apartment by jumping from a second-storey window April 20, but a family cat died.

Eighteen firefighters went to the Hillside Ave. apartment building about 5:20 a.m. after the mother awoke to find her living room in flames.

She rushed to the bedroom and put the pre-teen children out the window before jumping to safety herself, Deputy Chief Adam Forsythe said.

A son received a minor foot injury and the mother was examined for back injuries.

The remainder of the three-storey, six-unit building received minor smoke damage. Residents of the other apartments returned to their homes.

The blaze appeared to have been caused by a candle on a table the cat knocked over. The cat died in the fire.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is arranging aid and the family is temporarily staying with relatives.

A spokesperson for the society said April 21 the children’s clothing was not burned, but the family will need new furniture and another apartment. Anyone who wants to make a donation can call 542-9499 or leave cash at Wolfville town hall.