The Terrace Fire Department responded to a blaze on the 2600 block of Pear Street on Aug. 23.
Fire crews were called for a possible residential structure fire at 12 p.m., but Terrace Fire Chief Chad Cooper said it quickly escalated, prompting a rapid response from local fire crews.
In a statement to The Terrace Standard, Cooper said that upon their arrival heavy smoke from the fire was visible from the city’s fire hall. When crews arrived on the scene, they found flames billowing from a bedroom window of the duplex.
Firefighters immediately transitioned their response to the flames, as the fire grew more aggressive and were able to swiftly extinguish the bedroom fire quickly, Cooper said. A search of the structure revealed that all occupants had safely exited the building by the time fire crews arrived and no injuries were reported.
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The damages, Cooper said, were limited to one side of the two-unit duplex, saving the neighbouring unit from any fire or smoke damages. An investigation into the cause of the fire pointed to an electrical appliance malfunction.
In the light of the incident, Cooper highlighted the actions of the Terrace Fire Department, saying, “Terrace firefighters did an amazing job today quickly suppressing the fire and containing the fire damage to a bedroom of the one side of the occupancy.”
“The fire had the potential to be very damaging for the two units, displacing two families occupying the home,” Cooper added. “The Terrace Fire Department plays a crucial role in preventing and limiting fire damages in our community, especially at a time when we’re experiencing very low housing vacancy rates,” he added.
Viktor Elias joined the Terrace Standard in April 2023.
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