There were no injuries to the public or firefighters, confirmed the city fire chief and director of protective services
A home in the 4000 block of Mackenzie Avenue North was completely destroyed by fire on Monday, Jan. 27 in Williams Lake.
Fire crews were dispatched to the scene at 3:39 p.m. to reports of flames coming through the roof of a structure, said Williams Lake fire chief and director of protective services Evan Dean.
"Upon arrival, a portion of the building was fully engulfed, and the fire quickly spread to the rest of the home," Dean told the Tribune. "Due to considerable accumulations of yard waste and debris, crews faced challenging access but managed to knock down the flames and focus on extinguishing hotspots.
In total the Williams Lake Fire Department brought two command vehicles, a ladder truck, two engines and 22 firefighters to tackle the blaze.
Dean confirmed there were no injuries to the public or the firefighters and that there was no one living in the home at the time, but that it had been converted into a shop and the owner lived behind it.
"After interviews, and observations from the early stages of the fire, the probable cause is an unattended wood stove," Dean said, noting this is not confirmed.
Dean extended a special thanks to the city public works team for providing equipment and support, including setting up flaggers, assisting with roof overhaul, and cleaning up the road and sidewalk afterwards.
"We’d also like to acknowledge the RCMP, BCEHS, BC Hydro, and flagging crews for their quick response and assistance.
Reminding residents to clear access around homes and properties because that can significantly improve firefighting operations, it also helps protect nearby structures and ensure the safety of our members and the community.
"Wood stoves/furnaces should be inspected/cleaned annually by a professional," Dean added.
