EDMONTON – A family who’s been in our province for less than a week is now homeless after a fire broke out in their new residence in Sherwood Park Tuesday evening.
The fire started around 7:30 p.m . By the time Strathcona County fire crews arrived at the Cavan Crescent home , the second floor was fully engulfed in flames. It took 21 firefighters around half an hour to get the blaze under control.
The Lateef family was inside when it started. It was the mother who first smelled something burning. Her husband saw the flames after going to check on the smell. The couple, along with their three daughters, managed to all get out safely.
Originally from Mississauga, Ontario, they only moved in four days ago. The family of five says their furniture hadn’t arrived yet; some of their personal belongings were already moved in, though.
The fire destroyed the home; but aside from some damage, fire crews say the two adjacent homes were saved.
Witnesses say the fire spread through the home quite quickly.
Matt Peters was having dinner when he saw the black smoke.
“We saw the fire coming at the room, like it didn’t seem to start on the ground, then we saw it more towards the back of the house. And within a few minutes, the roof just caved right in,” he says. “It’s a very, very humbling thing to see. Just reminds you that life can just change…like that.”
The family says they will be staying with someone in the community for the time-being.
Investigators, meanwhile, are looking into what caused the fire, and how much damage it caused.
With files from Quinn Ohler, Global News
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