Skip to content

Fire caused extensive damage to duplex unit; four adults affected

Four adults displaced by a fire which ravaged a duplex Monday evening received support from the Canadian Red Cross.

Four adults displaced by a fire which ravaged a duplex Monday evening received support from the Canadian Red Cross.

Sylvan Lake firefighters were called to a fire in a duplex at 16 Westin Place about 8:10 p.m. Monday and were on the scene for about three hours, reported Fire Chief Cliff Brausen.

With 21 firefighters battling the blaze, they were able to contain the fire to the side of the duplex where it began. There was major interior damage, he reported. The other side of the duplex received significant smoke damage.

Cause of the fire was still under investigation at press time Tuesday afternoon.

“Volunteers with the Canadian Red Cross Personal Disaster Assistance Team provided accommodation to residents impacted by the fire,” according to a press release from the organization.

The team is a group of dedicated volunteers, some from Sylvan Lake, who assist families and individuals with local disasters. The Canadian Red Cross provides food, shelter, clothing and additional services for 72 hours as needed to people affected by personal disaster.

The release stated, the average cost of a response in which a family of four is assisted is $2,000. All Canadian Red Cross support is provided at no charge to those in need. To donate to this locally funded program call 1-800-418-1111 or go online to www.redcross.ca.

Several Sylvan firefighters were busy earlier Monday morning, responding to a mutual assistance call at Bentley Hutterite Colony with their water tanker. Members were involved in assisting firefighters from Bentley and other areas for about three hours.

About 4,500 pigs died when fire swept through a hog barn. A second barn was saved from fire. About four dozen firefighters were on the scene at the peak of the action.

Lacombe, Blackfalds and Eckville fire departments also assisted in fighting the fire.