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Second garage fire in a week

No one was home, and the neighbour quickly called 911

Another fire caused by combustible materials located too close to a heat source has damaged a Willow Point home.

At 1 p.m. on Sept. 21, Campbell River Fire Department responded to a report of a fire in a residence in Willow Point.

“The fire was reported by a neighbour who heard the sound of a smoke alarm in the home,” says deputy fire chief Thomas Doherty. “When the neighbour investigated, he saw fire and smoke in the living room of the single-storey building.”

No one was home, and the neighbour quickly called 911 and waited for fire crews to arrive.

“When firefighters entered the home, they found smoke throughout and a small fire in the living room that had burned itself out,” Doherty adds. “We commend the actions of the neighbour – in particular for not trying to open a door or window, which would have provided oxygen to the fire and caused it to spread rapidly.”

Fire damage was minimal, but the home had smoke damage throughout. Earlier this month, a fire in a home in Willow Point was caused by combustible wood furniture placed too close to an electric heating unit.

“The fire department reminds the public to keep combustible materials away from heat sources, especially with the cooler weather season upon us,” Doherty emphasizes.

Fire crews were also out early Sunday morning for a garage fire on 5th Ave.

Shortly after 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 20, crews responded to a fire in a detached garage.

“When crews arrived, the owner was attempting to extinguish the blaze with a garden hose, which prevented the fire from spreading,” Doherty says. “This fire was noticed by the next door neighbour who ran to alert the home owner.”

Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire, which damaged the exterior wall of the garage.

The cause of this fire is under investigation by the RCMP.