By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

UPDATE: Investigators looking into causes of two fires over the weekend

Jun 24, 2018 | 12:24 AM

Red Deer Emergency Services is investigating two separate fires in the city’s north end this weekend.

The first was a large vehicle fire that happened around 10:50 p.m. on Saturday when witnesses on scene say they heard an explosion.

Fire crews and ambulance showed up soon after to Shine Shop Motorsports at 7860 49 Avenue.

Deputy Fire Chief John Gelinas says the vehicle involved was a privately owned street sweeper that was fully involved in flames when crews arrived.

“Our crews put the fire out and did a check inside the buildings,” says Gelinas. “The problem with this fire which made it a bit more complicated was that it was parked adjacent to some industrial buildings, so our concern was that it might spread to the buildings.”

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Fortunately, Gelinas says there was no extension of the fire to those buildings and no injuries to anyone.

“No idea what the cause was,” adds Gelinas. “They’re looking into all the various aspects, mechanical or what have you. The fact that somebody actually called it in was a good thing because if somebody had waited or not seen it, then the fire would have spread to the buildings.”

Inspector Tim Kivell said on Monday that the cause will likely remain undetermined due to the extent of the destruction of the cab. He noted there was no signs of forced entry, nor was there any broken glass near the vehicle.

Kivell also said though the vehicle hadn’t been used in two weeks, it was operable and it’s possible there could’ve been electrical issues. 

Video: rdnewsNOW / Josh Hall

Then at 2:17 a.m. Sunday morning, crews were called to a second fire at a one-and-a-half storey single family residence in the 5300 block of 76 Street.

Gelinas says smoke was showing when they arrived.

“There was no fire that I could see but there was smoke coming from the building itself,” he recalls. “This was called in by a neighbour. There was nobody at home, there was no injuries, nothing like that, no pets in the house.”

He says the owner was camping at a nearby lake and was called by friends who live in the area and came back to the house.

“The other folks who lived in the house were in B.C., they were family of the owner,” explains Gelinas. “When our crews gained access, they did a primary and secondary search and found another smaller fire in the basement which was probably associated and that was extinguished.”

Unfortunately, Gelinas says the home did suffer extensive damage but he’s unsure of the estimate during this early stage of the investigation.

“I understand there was some renovation work going on in there so that might have been a contributing factor,” Gelinas adds. “However, I can’t say at this time cause we don’t know what the cause was yet.”

Gelinas says the homeowner has declined assistance from the Canadian Red Cross which often helps those displaced from their homes after a fire.

“He said he was fine as far as accomodations,” according to Gelinas. “I’m not sure what arrangements they did make but he said he would take care of himself.”

Gelinas says it was fortunate a neighbour called the fire in and no one was hurt.

“That was really quite helpful and I applaud the neighboir for doing that, especially at 2:17 in the morning,” Gelinas exclaims. “That saved the fire from spreading to other adjacent houses.”

The two fires are not believed to be connected.