Coombs man’s face singed as he escapes his burning home

Fire departments from across the Coombs area were called out after a man barely escaped his burning home Thursday afternoon.

When firefighters from five area departments responded to the fire, near the intersection of Alberni Highway and Highway 4 in Coombs, flames were already consuming the 100-year-old cabin.

“We arrived on the scene with our Duty Officer and found a fully-involved structure involving a house, a workshop and an RV,” said Coombs-Hilliers Fire Chief Aaron Poirier. “So we had fire coming through the roof and windows on three sides on arrival.”

The man who lived there was lucky to get out but neighbours said the flames singed his face.

Fire officials said it has been just wet enough lately to have prevented a major forest fire, considering the burning cabin is surrounded by tall trees.

“This was a moderate fire danger yesterday so we had some concerns about fire extending but the fire didn’t extend beyond the property,” said Poirier.

The fjre chief said the occupant told him what happened to cause the blaze, but the chief did not divulge that information Friday as the investigation into the cause continues.

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