Pebble Lane house fire, RMWB supplied image
FORT MCMURRAY, AB — Regional Emergency Services (RES) have determined the cause of a house fire on Pebble Lane earlier this week.
An unattended candle in an upstairs bedroom is believed to have sparked the late afternoon blaze that destroyed a Timberlea home Tuesday.
Firefighters were called to the scene shortly after 5 p.m. and found the fire had spread throughout the structure. Crews initially fought the fire defensively from outside to protect nearby homes before entering the building about 30 minutes later to extinguish the flames.
No one was injured. Residents escaped before crews arrived, and a pet dog and two cats were rescued. Several nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.
Fire Marshal Nick Brenner said the blaze serves as a reminder of the dangers of unattended candles. “Unfortunately, candles are a leading cause of home fires, particularly in bedrooms and during the holiday season,” he said. “If you use them, please keep them far away from anything that can burn, and always blow them out before leaving.”
The house is considered a total loss. RES says this is the fourth serious house fire in Fort McMurray within the past three weeks, with investigations into the other incidents still ongoing.
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