If you’re fit enough to do so, climb to the highest point on a ladder and visually check the roof. No need to step onto the roof but check for signs of damage around gutters and the chimney.

"I was in my house," Sowden said. "I heard screaming. I seen the kid on top of the roof. The house was on fire, so I took a ladder, ran over, put the ladder up, grabbed the four kids and helped ...

If you intend to use the ladder to get onto an elevated surface, such as a roof, the ladder should extend three feet above that surface. “So you’ve got something to hold on to as you get off ...

Smoke and heat eventually forced the man to the roof where a ladder was used to get him down to safety. The fire was controlled within 30 minutes, with winds pushing smoke throughout the house.