BARRHEAD-A fire destroyed a mobile home in the Highridge area on Sept. 20, that was fortunately empty at the time.
Barrhead Regional Fire Services (BRFS) responded to a report of a structure fire on property on Range Road 21 near Highway 651.
When they arrived, firefighters found the structure, an older mobile home, with an addition engulfed in flames. In addition to the residence, two other outbuildings were destroyed.
BRFS deputy chief Ted Amos said, regrettably, there was little they could do to save the structure or its contents, so they worked at controlling the fire and working to stop the spread to nearby structures and neighbouring properties.
"Once we were on scene, we quickly knocked it down, protected the exposures and stopped the advance of the fire," he said.
Making the task more difficult was the long grass and trees near the mobile home.
Amos added that a woodpile near the mobile home also caught on fire, igniting two nearby spruce trees.
"They went up super fast. It is dry out there," Amos said.
Ten firefighters responded with two tenders, a fire engine as well as their rescue vehicle.
Fire chief Gary Hove said due to the amount of fire damage, it is difficult to determine what the cause of the fire, however, his best guess was that an electrical fault.
Unfortunately, he said the couple is uninsured, noting often it is difficult for homeowners of older mobile homes to find insurance companies willing to insure them.
Hove also noted that the Barrhead Community Victim Services Unit has been in touch with the family to help them find accommodation and other necessities.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
