Family escapes house fire, says egress window saved their life

NORFOLK, Neb. - A family in northeast Nebraska said they wouldn't be here if not for a certain safety feature in their home.

"It all happened so quick," said Anthony Weiland. "All we had was our bedroom clothes."

The Weiland family is speaking out about escaping a house fire last week in Norfolk.

"When you looked out of the egress window there were flames coming out of the back door there over four feet," said Weiland. "All you could do was just sit there and watch it consume."

Although their home was a total loss, the Weilands are still thankful.

"Everybody got out," said Weiland.

He said if it hadn't been for the egress window, they wouldn't be alive.

"There was no way out," said Weiland.

By law, egress windows have been required in every bedroom since 1997, but some older houses are less equipped.

"There's a certain height, certain width, and then also how far it is off the floor," said Window World Owner Angi Kruse.

Kruse said the measurements ensure residents can get out safely, but also allow the firefighters to get in easily.

"Some times it doesn't seem like a priority but it should be," said Kruse.

Kruse said several years ago her family's home was struck by lightning.

"Well, I wasn't home, but at the time my husband and child was," said Kruse. "So they were able to get out but it makes you think."

A thought that ignited preparation.

"Piece of mind knowing that your family can get out that window and they wouldn't have any trouble doing," said Kruse.