Fire investigators say the official cause of a blaze that destroyed a Red Deer home in the Lancaster neighbourhood last week is undetermined. (Contributed/Janise Somer)

By Sheldon Spackman

UPDATE

Cause undetermined in blaze that destroyed Red Deer home

Sep 20, 2019 | 10:12 AM

Investigators have been unable to determine the official cause of a fire that destroyed a home in Red Deer’s Lancaster neighbourhood last week.

Andrew Towers, Fire Safety Codes Officer with Red Deer Emergency Services (RDES),says they have been able to determine that the fire started on the rear patio deck, possibly from a BBQ propane tank.

Although not considered suspicious, Towers admits the fire could have been set deliberately.

Towers says the home, which is managed by Catholic Social Services, is a total loss with damage estimated at $310,000. He adds neighbouring homes to the north and south also incurred melted vinyl siding damage, but no one was hurt in the blaze.

Crews were called to the home at 84 Lamont Close around 3:00 a.m. Sept. 13, with about 20 personnel responding and finding the home’s roof fully engulfed in flames when they arrived.

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Towers credits two working smoke alarms for aiding in the safe evacuation of the home’s four occupants, including three adult males and one adult female.

Towers says they have all been relocated to another home by Catholic Social Services.