Regina firefighters arrived on the scene of a Wednesday morning house fire before the 911 call could even be made, simply because they just happened to be in the neighbourhood.
At around 11:45 a.m., firefighters were in the area of the 1400 block of Athol Street when they saw smoke coming from a house.
They were able to self-deploy on the scene while calling for a second fire truck to assist, said Neil Sundeen, deputy fire chief of operations with the Regina Fire Department.
“They went in aggressively under heavy smoke and fire and completed their search,” Sundeen said.
“Fortunately no one was home. The fire burned so hot it burnt up to the ceiling and through the roof. They had a bit of struggle getting up in the attic but after 30 minutes it was out.”
The fire originated in a bedroom toward the rear of the home. According to Sundeen, there is major damage in the house from smoke, water and fire.
Across town, Regina firefighters were responding to another house fire happening simultaneously.
A 911 call came in at 11:04 a.m. in the 100 block of Nagel Crescent.
When firefighters arrived on the scene they saw heavy smoke and fire coming from the house.
“The fire started in the basement and burned a hole through the floor, burning the main floor,” Sundeen said.
No one was home at the time of the fire, which was under control within 20 minutes, but there was “considerable smoke, fire damage in the home,” Sundeen said.
“I can’t say it’s a total loss, but it’s considerable.”
Both fires remain under investigation.