Burnaby firefighters are still unclear as to what sparked a blaze at a home on Venables last week.
About six fire trucks responded to a home in the 4200 block of Venables Street after a neighbour spotted a fire shortly before 1 a.m. When firefighters arrived, there were flames and heavy smoke coming from the back of the house, assistant fire chief Bryan Kirk told the NOW.
“The rear door was open, and the propane tank was flaring on arrival,” Kirk said, adding that the tank was moved to an open area so the gas inside could dissipate.
Crews made quick work of the fire, extinguishing it before it could spread to the rest of the house, and all three residents managed to escape, thanks to a neighbour, Kirk said.
Much of the fire and ensuing damage was contained to the carport and an adjoining room, he added.
The cause, meanwhile is under investigation to determine whether the fire was set deliberately. Firefighters at the scene contacted Burnaby RCMP when they noticed the door to the workshop was open when they arrived, Kirk said.
“It’s kind of weird having that open at that time of night,” he added.
Burnaby RCMP confirmed they are investigating to determine whether the cause of the blaze is suspicious.
Driver freed following head-on crash
Firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life to rescue the driver of a pick-up truck that collided with a semi-truck at Winston Street and Brighton Avenue.
The crash happened around 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, when a semi and a pick-up truck crashed head-on. Firefighters had to cut off the driver-side door of the pick-up in order to pull the driver out of the truck, said acting assistant fire chief Barry Mawhinney.
Paramedics were also on scene and transported two patients to hospital, both in critical condition.
