(Watch above: A fire in Lacombe spread quickly from one home to the two neighbouring houses. The fire caused about $3 million in damages. Kendra Slugoski has more.)
EDMONTON – Fire destroyed three homes in the central Alberta community of Lacombe Tuesday morning, causing an estimated $3 million in damage.
Fire crews were called just after 5 a.m. to a home in Henner’s Pointe, in the north end of town. The blaze started in one property, before spreading to the houses on either side. Despite the early hour, everyone made it out safely and no injuries were reported.
“Somebody was ringing my doorbell, pounding on the door, ‘Fire! Fire!’,”said Allan Berggren, who lives in the neighbourhood.
“We all came outside and saw everybody was out, and really just watched it go up so quick.
“It’s just amazing. It started in the house two over from us, and in no time our next-door neighbour’s was going up.”
Volunteer fire crews from Lacombe, Clive, Bentley and Blackfalds responded to the fire. Berggren was impressed with their response.
“I don’t think it’s a manned station. They have to go to the station and then come here to the fire. So I think it was really quick, considering what they have to do,” he said.
Photos from the scene show one home was burnt to the ground and at least two others damaged beyond repair.
“Unfortunately, we were not able to save the three homes, but we’re thankful that there were no injuries or loss of life,” said Lacombe Fire Department Chief Ed vanDelden. “The damage is estimated at $3 million.”
The Canadian Red Cross is assisting three families – six adults and seven children – with emergency food, clothing and accommodations over the next 72 hours. Lacombe Victim Services was also called in to help the affected families with their immediate needs and to arrange for alternate accommodations.
“We would like to thank our firefighters, and the members of the regional fire departments who stepped up and exceeded expectations in responding to this call,” said Lacombe CAO Norma MacQuarrie. “We would also like to recognize and appreciate the outpouring of compassion and support for the fire victims from across the community.”
The City of Lacombe says the cause of the fire is still under investigation, and will likely not be known for a few days.
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