Powell River Fire Rescue (PRFR) responded to a structural fire at a home in Cranberry on Wednesday, January 30. The lone fatality was a dog.
According to deputy fire chief Rocky Swanson, the call came through at 4:24 pm that there was a structural fire at a one-and-a-half storey, wood-frame residence. An elderly woman was the sole occupant.
The woman was taken to Powell River General Hospital suffering smoke inhalation. A primary search was conducted and firefighters did not find the dog. A secondary search was conducted and the dog was then found deceased.
The all clear was given and firefighters began extensive checks and the cleanup began.
A unit of 20 PRFR firefighters responded, including permanent and auxiliary members. They arrived on the scene within minutes of receiving the call. Swanson said firefighters conducted an aggressive offensive attack on the interior of the structure, knocking the fire out and getting it under control quickly.
The cause and origin is under investigation but Swanson said it looks like it may have broken out in the bedroom. That cannot be confirmed, yet, he added. He said the main floor of the house was basically gutted and the fire flashed over and destroyed a good portion of the upstairs.
The fire department response was textbook, according to Swanson. He said he credits the training PRFR has put into this exact kind of scenario and that it paid off in this case.
