EDMONTON – A fire in Sylvan Lake, Alta. that destroyed four houses and left 14 people homeless May 18 was started by sparks from a backyard firepit, an investigation has found.
In a statement issued Friday, Sylvan Lake Fire Chief Cliff Brausen said the fire was caused by sparks from a firepit on the deck of one of the burnt homes.
"It is believed that embers in a free-standing fire pit were carried by high winds and ignited nearby combustibles," Brausen said.
The fire started around 5 p.m. and destroyed two of the houses in less than 20 minutes. About 35 volunteer firefighters from Sylvan Lake, and six from nearby Red Deer, fought the flames.
Eight other homes were damaged by the fire.
The total damage estimate is $1.5 million.
Sylvan Lake is 163 kilometres south of Edmonton.
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