As a former NHL netminder, Rick Wamsley is used to close calls.

This one was too close to home.

The Senators' goalie coach had just finished up dinner with his wife Lori and several members of their family Thursday night in Stittsville when they realized their neighbour's place was on fire.

"We went outside, we heard a cracking noise, we looked over and we went, 'Uh-oh', that's not good," Wamsley told the Sun Monday night.

While Wamsley's home was spared from the flames, his place on Abaca Way suffered severe smoke and water damage as a result of the blaze and he's been displaced from his home.

It's been reported the fire started at 109 Abaca when a burning cigarette butt was thrown into a planter box. After discovering the fire, Wamsley told the kids to get out of house and called 911.

So after moving from Brantford to Ottawa in December, Wamsley will spend the next little while living in a nearby hotel before moving into a rental until his home can be completely rebuilt.

"They have to gut our place to fix everything," said Wamsley. "We have very little fire damage. It's more smoke and water from the fighting the fire.

"They basically had to go through our place to fight the fire next door."

The 55-year-old Wamsley, who is headed into his fourth season with the Senators, has gone through a whole range of emotions since the incident took place.

At first, there was initial shock. Then, there was the harsh reality that his home was pretty much in ruins.

In the end, he was relieved that his wife, two of his three daughters visiting and grandchildren were able to get out of the home and there were no injuries.

"Initially I thought our house might survive," said Wamsley. "Once I saw the axes and chainsaws go into my house I didn't have a really good feeling about our place surviving. That was not a good sign.

"It was pretty evident we weren't sleeping in the house that night."

Yes, the whole experience has been devastating, but Wamsley is past all that. He can laugh now. Those who know him know he has a strong sense of humour. He's never needed it more.

"If you would have talked to me two days ago it would have been a different story," said Wamsley. "It's done now.

"The only good thing is: Nobody died. Nobody lost their life. It's your stuff but it's stuff nonetheless."

Selected by Montreal in 1979, Wamsley, who won a Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames in 1989 during his 12-year playing career which included stops in St. Louis and Toronto, was asked if he lost any of his hockey memorabilia in the blaze?

"I didn't have a lot to remember from my playing days," said Wamsley with a laugh. "There's some pictures and stuff that have to be cleaned.

"We haven't lost anything. None of our stuff burned. It's just water and smoke damage. I think any memorabilia, and I don't have a lot from playing days, can be cleaned."

Wamsley feels his family got off lucky.

"We didn't lose all of our stuff. We have some stuff that's been affected by smoke and water," said Wamsley.

"I don't know how to describe it. In 30 minutes, your life kind of change d a little bit ... On one hand it's really devastating but when you think about it it's just stuff. It's more of a major inconvenience.

"Everybody is okay. The furniture that won't be able to be cleaned can be replaced. It's just a major inconvenience in your life. That's probably the best way to put it. You've got to live in your hotel for a little bit. You've got to find another place to live for a little while."

Fortunately for Wamsley and his family they have plenty of support. The neighbors offered their help immediately. His hockey family has stepped up with offers of generous support.

"Everybody has been good," said Wamsley. "When it was going on there were multiple offers of help and stay (with us). Whatever you need. Everybody was very accommodating and wanting to help.

"There's multiple offers to make sure we have a place to live and all my heavier set friends are offering clothes," he added with a laugh.

You have to give Wamsley credit for his attitude in a difficult situation.

bruce.garrioch@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @sungarrioch