Port Alberni Fire Department responded to a fire at a house across from the firehall on 10th Avenue on Monday, Aug. 20.
A call came in at 2:18 a.m. and a truck responded right away, acting chief Wes Patterson said.
“The crew on arrival found heavy smoke throughout the building and flames at the rear,” he said.
The fire was quickly extinguished and the house ventilated. No one was home at the time of the fire. “No injuries, but extensive smoke damage throughout,” Patterson added.
The fire began inside the building, and preliminary investigation showed it started in the laundry room. “It’s not suspicious.”
While the wildfires that were burning around the Alberni Valley are all considered “out” now by the BC Wildfire Service, the fire department has been busy chasing smoke complaints and backyard burning incidents. “We’ve had at least three people burning in contravention of the (backyard burning) bylaw. You can have a backyard barbecue, gas fire or briquettes, but in terms of city parks we’re only issuing permits for gas-fired barbecues,” he said.
“You are required to go to Echo Centre and get a permit from the city.”