Two homes were destroyed and one badly damaged Sunday afternoon after fire tore through a south Bankview neighbourhood.
Emergency crews were called out to the blaze at approximately 4:30 p.m. March 3 on 1st Street West.
Neighbour Kerri Kuefler was arriving home when she smelled smoke in her car. Upon exiting she saw the fire at 1019 1st street.
“It happened so fast. It was good that I pulled up when I did because there was nobody out in the street,” she said.
She ran to her door and told people in her house to call 911. She then knocked on the door of the neighbouring house to alert them of the fire and to evacuate.
The Drumheller Fire Department, with support from the Rosedale Hall and Dalum, battled the blaze. Fire Chief Bruce Wade said about 25 firefighters were on scene. Firefighters fought the blaze in -15 degree Celsius weather, utilizing much of its apparatus, including its snorkel truck.
Alberta Health Service Ambulance was on site as well as RCMP. At this time there is no report of injuries.
“The firefighters were amazing. They were out there in the cold doing their thing, and boy were they good,” Keufler told the Mail Sunday.
Firefighters were able to get the blaze under control and were there Monday monitoring the site. The fire is still under investigation.
‘The cold weather did hinder firefighting efforts to some degree and it will hinder investigation to some degree,” said Wade.
At this point, it appears two of the homes were completely destroyed. Wade said a third home was damaged, however, the owners were allowed back in Sunday night. Power was shut off in the neighbourhood for a short time.
photo courtesy Carrie Storms
Wade is grateful for the support from the community for the firefighters.
“Thanks to the businesses that brought food and hot coffee and the support from neighbours and Boston Pizza was really nice,” he said.
Pizza Hut and McDonald's also contributed.
For neighbours, it was a harrowing experience to watch the blaze.
It’s hard to watch someone’s house burn down,” said Kuefler.
