A Gibsons' home is badly damaged after a fire on Saturday night (Feb. 12).
Gibsons' firefighters were called to the home in the 600 block of Gower Point Road just after 10 p.m. According to department spokesperson Dale Boghean the area of origin was a bedroom.
He said two occupants lived in the home, but only one was home at the time of the fire. The female occupant required and received medical attention after she was transported to St. Mary's Hospital.
"The fire was substantially contained to one of the two bedrooms by a closed door and the help of neighbours controlling the fire by applying water with a garden hose through a blown out window," said Boghean. "This defensive action was probably responsible for saving a good portion of the building from catching fire and possibly spreading to other vehicles or buildings around it."
Boghean said despite those efforts and that of the fire department who arrived on scene in minutes, smoke damage to the home was extensive with most items in the home not being recoverable.
"A renovation to the roof, with the original one being covered by a second roof, led to extensive work being required to access the fire in the hidden void between them," said Boghean. "The fire spread and overhaul efforts by the fire department to the roof area has left the structure compromised as a result. While we do appreciate the response of the public when they help out, we certainly must also advise all people of the real dangers of fire fighting without personal protective equipment."
He said smoke inhalation of fumes from unknown combustible contents from fires inside homes makes these fires some of the most dangerous ones to fight.
"Extreme care and sound reasoning must be used around a structure fire," he said. "For the general public, it is best to keep your distance from an involved structure fire. For life safety, all the Coast fire departments recommend installing and testing smoke alarms to give early warning of a fire and allow building occupants time to escape. One of our fire slogans is 'get out and stay out.' Then the quickest call possible to 9-1-1 can be made from a safe area to get the fire department on their way."
In all, 15 firefighters responded to the call-out. The cause is still under investigation.
