Elderly couple in hospital after two homes damaged in early-morning Burnaby fire
Posted April 19, 2019 10:22 am.
Last Updated April 19, 2019 10:38 am.
BURNABY (NEWS 1130) — Firefighters in Burnaby are gaining the upper hand on a challenging house fire that has sent an elderly couple to to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.
A stubborn house fire in Burnaby engulfed at least two homes at Pender Street and Boundary road took almost 6 hours to put out. They’re staying on scene for several more hours to make sure it doesn’t flare up again.
Deputy Chief Dave Samson says at least two homes damaged. A nearby townhouse also evacuated because of smoke. He adds it’s a challenging fire for the 42 firefighters on scene. @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/Gk3hPAQ6xE
— Monika Gul (@MonikaGul) April 19, 2019
Over 40 firefighters were pulled out of bed just after 2:30 a.m to tackle the flames.
David Johnson, who lives across the street, woke up to the sounds of someone screaming and something crackling.
“We heard, first of all, screaming and, of course, the commotion going on and some fire crackling in the air,” he says. “By the time I got out, the first fire engine was just arriving,” he says. “The building was fully engulfed in flames even by the time I got out, and it appears as though everybody got out of both buildings, but it did go over to the second building.”
Deputy Fire Chief David Samson says putting out the fire was a challenge.
“Our crews arrived to find a house fully involved. The move was defensive from the get-go, as the fire was through the roof,” he tells NEWS 1130.
Just spoke to man who lives across the street. Says he woke up to screaming and sounds of crackling. Came outside to see house fully engulfed, people standing outside, just as first fire truck was arriving. @NEWS1130
— Monika Gul (@MonikaGul) April 19, 2019
The family living in the second home also evacuated, as well as four families living in a nearby townhouse.
Both homes are expected to be heavily damaged, but the full extent isn’t know as firefighters are trying to put out the flames still flaring up.
