Exploding cans alert authorities to house fire
By Kyra Hoggan
What seemed to be an explosion in West Trail prompted a 9-1-1 call Friday night, according to Regional Fire Chief Terry Martin, of Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue.
“(At 10:44 p.m.) we received a 9-1-1 call for a possible explosion on McAnnaly Street,” he said. “There were no visible flames, smoke or anything. Crews did a 360 of the house and found a fire in the basement suite. It was apparent the fire had been burning for quite some time – there was extensive smoke and heat damage.”
Martin said the noise mistaken for an explosion was actually two aerosol cans that exploded due to the intense heat in the building – thus caused by the fire, not the cause of the fire.
“We’re narrowed it down to an area of origin, but haven’t determined the point of origin or the cause,” he said. “We’ve not been able to absolutely define it as electrical in nature, it’s still under investigation.”
Martin said investigators are working with the owner and tenant to pinpoint the cause, but the fire is not suspicious, and no one was injured in the blaze.
