Man escapes uninjured as fire destroys home near Courtenay, B.C.
One man escaped a fire that destroyed his home north of Courtenay, B.C., early Monday morning.
Fire Chief Kurt MacDonald says the blaze was called in at 2:30 a.m. on Langlois Road. The fire had consumed much of the home before firefighters arrived.
The fire was reported at 2:30 a.m. Monday on Langlois Road in Courtenay, B.C. (CTV News)
"Upon arrival our first-in crews found a fully involved home with the fire starting to get into the cedar trees and the bush that is surrounding it,” MacDonald said.
Courtenay firefighters were assisted by additional manpower and water from the Merville and Oyster River fire departments.
MacDonald says the fire had already burned off the roof and most of the exterior walls prior to their arrival. Crews had to contend with flames spreading in all directions and a second building that had ignited.
"We just started with the exposures first – they were our first priority with keeping the fire from spreading into the bush and also protecting the small shed that was off to the side of it," he said. "Once we got that under control we started back in and knocking down the flames in the house."
The fire was reported at 2:30 a.m. Monday on Langlois Road in Courtenay, B.C. (CTV News)
MacDonald says that while it is unfortunate the home was lost, the situation could have been much worse.
"There was lots of vegetation in close proximity to the house, lots of standing timber, lots of other fuels so it was very fortunate this fire was taking place towards the tail end of September when we’re getting into more fall conditions rather than July or August but conditions are still pretty dry" he said.
Courtenay firefighters responded to the blaze early Monday morning. (CTV News)
The lone occupant of the home escaped without injuries and was being assisted by emergency services. Crews have not yet determined the cause of the blaze.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cisco reveals security breach, warns of state-sponsored spy campaign
State-sponsored actors targeted security devices used by governments around the world, according to technology firm Cisco Systems, which said the network devices are coveted intrusion points by spies.
I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'oesn't get' the global phenomenom.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Student anti-war protesters dig in as faculties condemn university leadership over calling police
Students protesting the Israel-Hamas war at at universities across U.S., some of whom have clashed with police in riot gear, dug in Saturday and vowed to keep their demonstrations going, while several school faculties condemned university presidents who have called in law enforcement to remove protesters.
'Do I ghost her again?': Quebec minister's office ignores questions on housing as a human right
The office of Quebec Housing Minister France-Élaine Duranceau prefers to openly ignore journalists' requests.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
opinion RFK Jr.'s presidential candidacy and its potential threat to Biden and Trump
Although it's still unclear how much damage Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy can do to either Joe Biden or Donald Trump this election, Washington political columnist Eric Ham says what is clear is both sides recognize the potential threat.