A fire that tore through two homes under construction in Rivercrest late last year was caused by a fallen propane heater.
Investigators determined that the portable heater had been placed on a snowbank, but as temperatures rose, the melting snow caused it to tip over and ignite the exterior of one of the sites.
Cochrane Fire Chief Shawn Polley says the fire then spread to the neighbouring structure, resulting in a total loss of both buildings.
“There was also some damage to a property under construction to the west and minor impact to an occupied home to the east,” says Polley. “Thankfully, those residents were only displaced for a short time.”
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With the investigation now complete, the findings have been submitted to Alberta’s Fire Commissioner’s Office. The province collects data from local fire departments to track trends and potential safety concerns.
“They analyze patterns, like repeated vehicle fires, and can issue recalls if necessary,” says Polley. “We also work closely with insurance companies during these investigations.”
Polley commends his fire investigation team for their meticulous work in determining the cause of such incidents.
“They’re highly trained and have national and regional accreditations,” he says. “We also collaborate with other fire services in Calgary, Rocky View County, Okotoks, and beyond to identify emerging risks."