Four people were able to escape a fire in Amherst, N.S., on Monday that sent one firefighter to hospital.
According to the town, the fire broke out at 8:40 p.m. at two adjacent bungalows on Edgewood Avenue.
When firefighters arrived, they found the two homes in flames and an SUV also on fire. It’s believed the fire started in the backseat of the vehicle, which was parked beside the homes.
In a news release, Capt. John Matthews of the Amherst Fire Department says the fire spread to the sides of the home and “progressed quite quickly” into the attics of both structures.
“The homes are inhabitable,” Matthews said.
Four residents were able to escape, and firefighters rescued two cats from one of the houses.
A firefighter was taken to hospital to be treated for heat exhaustion, as the temperature rose to 30 with the humidex on Monday.
In total, 54 firefighters responded to the blaze.
The Canadian Red Cross has arranged for emergency lodging and food for one male resident while providing minor support to the adults from the second home.