23/February/2019 – Structure Fire - "C" Shift

An alert motorist spotted smoke coming from all sides of a residence at 1129 Strickland Farm Road west of the Town of Smoaks at 13:41 Saturday afternoon 23-February. Firefighters from Station # 7 in Smoaks arrived minutes later to find the single story block structure with heavy smoke visible and flames coming from a window in the utility room located at the rear of the structure. Crews deployed one handline, then forced entry through the front door and found the small utility room well involved in fire. Firefighters quickly knocked down the flames, containing the fire to the utility room. Smoke from the fire had entered the living space and attic of the house, but no fire extension was found in the remainder of the dwelling. No one was located in a search of the residence and it was later determined the occupants were not at home when the fire occurred. Firefighters spent approximately 45 minutes overhauling the utility room and removing smoldering debris. The fire appears to have started in the area of an electrical appliance in the utility room. Almost all of the personal belongings were saved, but items in the home suffered smoke damage. The Red Cross is assisting the family of five. Fire-Rescue units were on the scene for two hours.

Engine 7, Engine 23, Tender 7, Tender 18, Tender 23, Medic 7, Medic 18, Battalion 1, Car 104, Car 112, Car 116 and Car 118 responded. Firefighter-Paramedic Brandon Broach served as Incident Commander.