The aftermath of a fire in West Park on Friday, May 30, which tore through three homes and did significant damage to a fourth. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

rdes: fire safety education critical

Discarded lighter led to destructive West Park fire

Jun 2, 2025 | 1:23 PM

Red Deer Emergency Services has offered an update on a devastating fire which tore through three homes, part of a fourth, and damaged a nearby business, last Friday in West Park.

Fire Safety Codes Officer Todd Hector says the cause was determined to be two kids playing with a Bic-style lighter they’d found under their deck.

Hector says the kids, who were pre-teen or in their early teens, had been lighting pinecones on fire, and then made the unwise decision to light a mattress on fire underneath the deck.

This was under the end unit deck, with the fire spreading down the building and through three other units.

In total, 18 people are displaced, but all are receiving support from Red Cross or insurance. As reported Friday, two people were treated on scene for minor burns. There have been zero reports of missing or harmed pets.

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Damage to the Senior Centre Downtown House, across the street from Revy Townhomes. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

Additionally, Hector confirms there were in fact multiple explosions that occurred during the fire; these were from mini propane tanks which were on one of the decks.

“This is a good opportunity for us to remind people that fire education for our youth is very important,” adds Evan Stewart, assistant deputy chief, RDES.

“Children can be quite inquisitive, and sometimes don’t understand the ramifications of their actions, and how quickly things can get out of control. There will be some large life lessons from this incident.”

RDES recommends all parents visit the NFPA website for some helpful educational material suitable for the entire family.

Community efforts are currently being coordinated to help the families. rdnewsNOW will share more details here when they become available.

A GoFundMe has been set up for at least one of the families.

READ MORE: RDES responds to large fire in West Park Friday evening