Officials are investigating after two house fires broke kept fire crews busy Sunday night, and left two families without a place to call home at Christmas.
Firefighters were called to the first fire, in the area of 122 Avenue and St. Albert Trail at about 9:30 p.m. Sunday, after a passerby noticed smoke and called 911.
It took crews nearly two hours to gain the upper hand on the fire – the two-alarm blaze was declared under control at 11:15 p.m.
While investigators said it started in the basement, no cause has been determined.
It’s estimated the fire caused about $150,000 in damages; luckily, no one was home at the time.
A neighbour told CTV News the man who lived in the home was at work at the time the fire started.
The second fire started at about 9:50 p.m., in a home located at Evergreen Mobile Home Park.
CTV News has learned the homeowner called 911 – but she had to be rescued by a neighbour.
Investigators said that fire started in an attic vent, and spread to the living room.
The woman was taken to hospital, where she was treated for smoke inhalation.
That fire was under control by 10:15 p.m., and caused about $175,000 in damages.
Fire officials said two major fires in one night, at this time of year, isn’t shocking to them.
“Candles and cooking, space heaters,” Fire Prevention officer Patricia Young said. “They’re all factors that can play a role in having a fire.”
Young said everyone should pay attention while they’re cooking, keep space heaters in open areas, blow out all candles before going to bed, and check to make sure Christmas lights don’t have broken bulbs or frayed wires.
“A lot of those things are common sense, but when we’re celebrating, and holidays, and families, we get so busy sometimes common sense just goes right out the door, so we like to remind people this time of year,” Young said.
With files from Breanna Karstens-Smith
