Crews rescue man pinned in junk-filled home

11 firefighters had to chainsaw through garbage to reach the man

Shanghai Daily

BURNABY, Canada — A Canadian man in his 70s was severely dehydrated after being pinned for several days under debris in his home that had piled up almost to the ceiling.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said on Tuesday a man called to report that he had not seen his friend in several days. 　

Police found the doorway and halls of the suburban Vancouver home so choked with junk that the fire department was called to clear a path inside

Eleven firefighters had to break down the door and chainsaw through garbage to reach the man. Police said there was no heat and electricity, and the man was severely dehydrated. 　

"Had it been another day or two, with our cold temperatures, the outcome may have not been as good as it was," Assistant Fire Chief Greg Mervin said. 　

The incident required more emergency workers than for a typical rescue, he said, adding city bylaw officers have been previously called to the same home for complaints from neighbors about the junk piling up on the outside of his property. 　

The old man is recovering in hospital and being treated for possible circulation problems in both legs. 　

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Wayland Slater Sunday, January 20, 2013 3:24:23 PM It's sad to say that hoarding has always been a problem. It's just coming more into the main stream news with TV shows. I don't know if it's a problem with OCD, apathy, or what can be the root of it. But I have noticed that most of the time it's people who are shut in's, reclusives, eccentric and seem lonely. Many times we had responded to a hoarder's home and a few times we almost brought in plywood to shore things up as you would for a in ground collapse rescue.