SALMON ARM – A single-family house was badly damaged by fire Wednesday night but the four people inside escaped safely.
The homeowner was watching TV at about 10:30 when he heard popping noises coming from the attached garage.
Jaret Smith wondered if his 18-year-old son was doing something, went to investigate, and saw smoke coming from the bottom of the door leading to the garage.
“I woke my son up, came upstairs, grabbed the girls (ages 9 & 7) and we ran outside. I called 911 and basically watched it burn,” says Smith.
“Everybody is safe but It’s obviously sad. I’ve been inside and a lot of my personal belongings are still fine, pictures, things like that.”
It’s clear the fire started in the garage but the cause is not obvious.
“Not right yet, nothing conclusive,” said fire investigator Jim Nickles as he sifted through the charred debris inside the garage. “There’s a lot of flammables, a lot of potentials in here. I really can’t say at this time.”
The fire is not considered suspicious.
Smith does have insurance coverage.
“You’re both going to get new bicycles,” he told his daughters as they looked at the charred remains of their bikes.
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