Local fire officials are currently interviewing homeowners and witnesses to figure out the cause of a fire that destroyed a house in the rural community of New Remo just west of Terrace last night, July 7.
Both Terrace and Thornhill fire departments sent 30 firefighters after being alerted at 5:17 p.m. and fought the fire right up to 11 p.m. at the large home on 2056 Gagnon Rd.
Thornhill fire chief Rick Boehm, who stayed at the site until 4 a.m. in a monitoring role, said it was a stubborn fire that was centred in the beams of the large house.
“The fire itself was really stubborn, in the peak of the home,” he said.
Deputy fire chief for the Terrace department Dave Jephson said he's pleased crews could contain the blaze, given the danger of the flames getting out of hand in the ongoing heatwave in the area.
“I think we did an awesome job, all crew on scene,” said Jephson. “Sure the house is going to get knocked over, but you know what, they [the owners] can go inside and get their personal belongings ... If there was ashes and concrete to the ground, they couldn't do that. That is why I say it was a great save.”
A grass fire had to be contained, and members of a local forestry crew were also on hand to make sure the fire didn't spread into surrounding trees.
Jephson said one of his crew was sent to the hospital because they were suffering from dehydration.
The fire started next to the deck beside the house, he said, but the source has not been confirmed by investigators.
“The wife was home, the kids were with grandpa, the husband was working. She heard a noise, she opened the curtains, and she saw a fire,” said Jephson.