RESIDENT ESCAPES INJURY AT WEST ABBOTSFORD STRUCTURE FIRE BY MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS
Submitted. At 4:45 PM. 0n Sunday, April 14 2013, the Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service (AFRS) responded to a report of a structure fire at 31397 Homestead Crescent.
On arrival, AFRS crews found that smoke was visible at the rear of residential structure. Fortunately all of the residents had safely exited the building.
The fire was confined to the kitchen area but entire second floor of the residence suffered smoke damage. No one was injured.
The female resident was heating oil on the stove for cooking purposes. She left the kitchen for a few minutes in order to use the bathroom. On her return, she realized that the kitchen area was engulfed in flames.
Fortunately, the resident did not attempt to extinguish the fire. She alerted the downstairs residents, exited the dwelling and called 911. If the resident had have attempted to extinguish the fire with water, there is a high likelihood that she would have suffered serious burns and smoke inhalation.
Three AFRS engines and 13 firefighters attended the incident. AFRS crews were able to extinguish the fire before it spread to other areas of the structure. APD and B.C. Ambulance crews were also on the scene.
The total fire loss was estimated at more than $50,000.00. AFRS fire investigators confirmed that the fire cause was accidental in nature.