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Safety measures urged after Coquitlam mobile home fire

Coquitlam fire chief reminding people to check smoke alarms, have emergency plans in place
Fire
Coquitlam firefighters put out a fire at a mobile home at 201 Cayer St., Coquitlam, last week.

Firefighters are unable to determine the cause of a blaze that killed a man last week because the mobile home in which he lived is too dangerous to enter.

Tuesday, the mobile home at Wildwood Park in Coquitlam was surrounded by temporary blue fencing and there was a large hole in the roof of the structure.

A neighbor walking her dog in the park said Daniel Lemay who died in the fire will be missed for his friendly nature and good sense of humour.

But while while the exact cause of the fire that took place Wednesday, Feb. 13 can’t be determined, Coquitlam’s fire chief said mobile homes aren’t any more dangerous than any other structures as long as proper safety measures are in place.

“It really comes down to in terms of any property, what’s the fire load like, the contents and whether they are combustible, I don’t think it’s house dependent,” Ogloff told the Tri-City News.

He said it’s important for all  homes to have working smoke alarms, safe exits and a safe place away from the fire, preferably at a neighboring home, for people to gather, as well as a communications plan so family members can connect.

“If you don’t practice or plan as a family, it may be top of mind, now,” said Ogloff, who said firefighters will be visiting Wildwood Park, located at 201 Cayer St., in a few weeks talk to people about their fire emergency plans and hand out smoke alarms if people don’t have them.

“It’s a good opportunity to revisit those things with people.”