A house fire on Donald Close burnt down roughly 25 per cent of the roof, according to Red Deer emergency Services. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

Quarter of roof burned

House fire in Deer Park potentially caused by firewood ashes in outdoor recycle bin

Feb 27, 2023 | 5:17 PM

A house fire this weekend in Deer Park engulfed nearly a quarter of the roof and is believed to have started outside from firewood ashes.

According to Fire Safety Codes Officer Zhihao Zhong, Red Deer Emergency Services received a call at around 3:17 p.m. on Sunday, February 26 of a fire on Donald Close.

He says once crews arrived, they saw visible smoke and flames coming from the attic.

Back view of house fire on Donald Close; roughyl 25 per cent of the roof was burnt down, according to Red Deer Emergency Services. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

Although the investigation is not complete, Zhong says the department is leaning towards the conclusion that the fire was accidental rather than arson.

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He says the fire is believed to have begun outside due to firewood ashes being thrown in a plastic recycle bin next to the house. He confirmed the house does have a fireplace.

Zhong says ember and firewood ashes could continue smoldering for up to three to four days.

“They’re insulated from the outside, which appears to be out, but they’re still hot inside. Just like a cigarette butt; you could have a smoldering fire after five hours,” he said.

“If you have embers, make sure you pour water on it, make sure it’s cooled and, if you can, put them in a metal container; something that doesn’t burn. Keep them away from combustibles,” he said.

He says some neighbours caught video footage of the fire growing from outside the house and up into the attic, where roughly 25 per cent of the roof was burnt down. He also says the fire pattern seems to show the same conclusion.

“We poured down a lot of water in there because the fire was on the roof,” said Zhong. “There was a lot of water when I went down there, about three inches of water, in the basement.”. Vacuum trucks were still on scene Monday morning.

Vacuum trucks were still on scene of the house fire on Donalds Close on Monday morning. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

As the fire needed to be tackled by multiple angles, Zhong says firefighters had challenges finding enough water supply. He says while they quickly found the first closest fire hydrant, they had to spend some time finding the second one and laying out hoses as it was farther away from the second fire truck, which was stationed in the back alley.

While he says the house appears structurally safe, he does not know the damage estimate to the house or if it is yet deemed a total write-off. However, he says there was some slight exposure damage to the neighbour east of the home.

Side of house fire on Donald Close. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

Four fire trucks and one ladder were called to the scene, totaling between 20-25 firefighters, Zhong says.

The two occupants of the house and their cat evacuated the home safely. Zhong confirms no one was hurt in the fire.