Three people and a dog were able to escape unharmed after a fire broke out at a Coquitlam home shortly after midnight Thursday.
The blaze appeared to start in a carport at the back of a home in the 600-block of Grayson Avenue and the flames had spread to the roof of the main structure by the time crews arrived, said Fire Chief Wade Pierlot.
“It was a tough fire as the access was a bit of an issue getting to the rear of the home,” he said. “The flames were so intense, it burned the service wires overhead, so we had live wires as well.”
When firefighters learned the family and their pet had managed to get out of the home, crews moved into a defensive position and fought the blaze from the outside, Pierlot said.
The flames engulfed the attic and roof, and siding on a duplex next door was melted.
Fortunately, a neighbour opened their doors for the night to the family, whose home was destroyed, said Pierlot.
“The neighbour came forward and took people in,” he said. “It is a close-knit community from what I gather.”
Pierlot added that crews were still determining the cause of the blaze, which appeared to start in the carport. But Coquitlam RCMP investigators said they do not believe the cause of blaze is suspicious.
XMAS IS OVER SO TAKE DOWN THE LIGHTS
Coquitlam Fire Chief Wade Pierlot is asking residents to remove any unnecessary Christmas lights or holiday decorations that could pose a fire risk.
He said extension chords and other kinds of wiring can pose a hazard and are often the cause of fires this time of year. With the holidays over, he added that now would be a good time to put the decorations back into storage.
“Any remnants from Christmas or lighting… it is time to take those down,” he said. “Lets wrap things up.”
@gmckennaTC
