House fire claims two homes

 

 

Emergency crews consisting of 25 Whitecourt and seven Blue Ridge firefighters were called out Saturday around 6 p.m. to what was originally just one house fire; however, it later involved two. The fire originated at one home but due to the wind and intense heat it quickly spread to the neighbouring house. Both homes were fully engulfed in about 15 minutes.

 

Deputy Fire Chief Wayne Andrusiak quickly responded with gutter-mounted Wildfire Automated Sprinkler Protection (WASPs) placed on three of the neighbouring homes to help protect them. Andrusiak said he always carries three sets of WASPs with him in the Command Unit.

 

The firefighters worked in rotation battling the blazes. Using air packs adds to the strain they are placed under from the extra weight and extreme heat. Once finished, the firefighters go through a decontamination process. Depending on the type of fire, firefighters can be subjected to toxins and carcinogens. Once the fire has been suppressed, the firefighters stay in full gear and are hosed down from head to toe removing any hazards that may have seeped into their gear.

 

“All the local resources were utilized on this particular call from the EMS, RCMP, Fortis, and the Town of Whitecourt utilities,” Andrusiak said. Atco Gas was called in to shut off the main gas line. The intense heat from the fire caused the line to leak between the underground shut off valve and the home. “Everyone worked well together,” he added. The cause of the fire is unknown and is currently being investigated.