Fire destroys Comox house

Fire destroys Comox house
CHEK

Photo/Dean Stoltz

A massive fire destroyed a single family home in Comox on Tuesday night.

Fire officials say it began around 8:45 p.m. in the house on Rodello Street.

The fire spread quickly including to large fir trees on the property. Witnesses report seeing flames shooting up as high as 75 feet.

Ashes fell on the surrounding neighbourhood, heavy smoke blanketed a wide area forcing many to keep their windows and doors closed on a hot night.

Smoke could be seen rising from several kilometres away.

Comox firefighters were having their Tuesday night training at a local school and arrived on scene quickly with multiple crews and engines.

Crews from Oyster Bay were also called in.

Chief Gord  Schreiner says if it had not been for that quick response they could have lost more houses in the neighbourhood given the hot, dry conditions

Only one of the two people who live at the home was there at the time, and he got out safely.

The cause is under investigation but Chief Schreiner says it might have started in a shed on the property and spread to the house.

Comox Valley RCMP confirmed Wednesday that a neighbour alerted the homeowner to the fire. RCMP are assisting with the investigation.

Ben O'HaraBen O'Hara

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