A residential fire in Timberlea recently kept Fort MacMurray firefighters very busy. In addition to the home fire in Timberlea several vehicles were also incinerated by the flames and a man was placed in police custody. The home involved was located on Lanauze Street, and the fire was reported at approximately 10:30 pm. The fire was determined to have started in the basement and it then spread to upper levels of the home. Two families resided in the home and both had children. The home was completely destroyed according to the police but there were no injuries as a result of the fire according to the police report.
The homes neighboring the residence destroyed by the fire were evacuated as a precaution but were undamaged or only had slight water or heat damage. The occupants of the homes close to the residential fire were allowed to return after a number of hours. Cpl. George Cameron, the RCMP spokesperson, commented “Fire investigators are still trying to determine the cause, but it doesn’t appear to be suspicious. We’ve ruled out arson, it seems to be rather accidental.” Later the same night there was a vehicle fire at around 11:45 pm, and then a second vehicle fire a little later in the night as well. Both of the fires involving vehicles occurred on Tower Road. A 3rd report of a vehicle fire was called in at 5:30 am and Fort MacMurray firefighters were en route to the location off of Highway 63 near the Thickewood Boulevard turnoff. Two individuals were spotted fleeing the scene of the truck fire in the incident, and one was arrested as a result.