A Port Moody home has been destroyed by fire — but the pet chickens are safe.
The fire broke out at the home in the 100-block of Maple Drive, near Forest Park Way, at about 10:15 a.m. Thursday and, within a few hours, the top two floors were engulfed in flames.
Port Moody Fire Rescue Chief Remo Faedo said the fire started accidentally and was traced back to a cigarette.
"The homeowner was smoking early in the morning outside at the back of the house on the ground floor. Whatever he put the cigarette out in caught fire and travelled up the side and back of the house," Faedo said. "It got in through the eaves and into the roof, it caught the roof on fire and then the third floor."
There was significant structural damage to the third floor and the second floor saw heavy smoke and water damage, Faedo added.
Firefighters were able to knock the flames down while ensuring the neighbouring homes received only superficial damage from the heat.
Nobody was injured in the fire and firefighters were also able to safely remove some 15 adult and baby chickens from inside the home.
spayne@tricitynews.com
@spayneTC
Port Moody Fire Rescue and Port Moody Police responded to the scene; fire fighters discovered there were between 12 and 15 chickens inside and managed to get them all out of the home.
The fire appears to have been accidental. One person was home at the time but nobody has been injured.
More to come.
spayne@tricitynews.com
@spayneTC
