Deer Lake apartment building 'a total loss' after fire caused by hot fat
A six-unit apartment building in Deer Lake was destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon.
Deer Lake RCMP say the blaze on Douglas Lane broke out around 1:20 p.m.
The Deer Lake and Cormack volunteer fire departments responded to the scene.
All fire vehicles were sent out to the blaze, said Deer Lake fire chief John Dinney.
"The west end of the apartment was fully engulfed and flames were coming out of the roof on the south side of the apartment," Dinney said, adding the fire was very difficult to put out.
Vinyl siding on nearby houses was also melted by the heat from the fire.
A 15-gallon tanker from the Cormack fire department was brought in to battle the blaze.
RCMP said all four residents in the building were able to get out safely, with no injuries reported.
Initial reports indicate the fire was caused by hot fat used to cook french fries on a stovetop. Dinney said police told him the person living in the unit fell asleep after turning the stove on.
"It's a total loss," Dinney said. "The east end of it [has] salvageable stuff in it like stuff that survived the water damage and smoke damage."
The Canadian Red Cross assisted a woman and her adult son with emergency purchases, including clothing and food, but all of the tenants arranged to stay temporarily with relatives or friends.
RCMP say this is the third fat fire that's been reported to the Deer Lake Fire Department within the last month.
Police are reminding people that an electrical appliance with a thermostat control should be used when deep-frying food, and to always keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
