The fire broke out just after 6:30 p.m. and when trucks from the St. John’s Regional fire department arrived on scene, smoke and flame were pouring from the house. Platoon Chief Rick Mackey said firefighters were able to get a quick handle on the fire but they did have some trouble accessing the home as it sat on a hill on the end of the street. An aerial truck was also used to place firefighters on the roof of the home and an attached unit to ventilate smoke from the attics. Mackey said the fire appeared to originate at the rear of the house but he did not have an exact cause for the blaze. He said the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary would be investigating that aspect of the incident. Firefighters were able to locate one pet belonging to the lone female who lived in the home but a pet dog was still missing. The female resident of the home and at least three residents of the adjoining house were forced out of their homes at least overnight but the displacement was expected to be much longer for the resident of the house where the fire originated. Mackey said eight trucks from three stations responded to the fire.
The Canadian Red Cross said Monday it is helping two of those displaced by the fire that damaged both sides of the duplex.
A woman and her adult daughter are staying with relatives for now and received Red Cross help with emergency purchases of food and other items.
According to the Red Cross, they lived in the unit that received mostly smoke or water damage. Those living in the unit where the fire began and that received more extensive damage made their own arrangements.
