ST. ANTHONY, N.L. — A St. Anthony family is out a $1,000-plus woodpile after it caught on fire on Tuesday morning.
The St. Anthony Volunteer Fire Department responded to a woodpile fire at American Drive shortly after 7 a.m. on Sept 17.
Despite heavy winds, firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it could spread.
Unfortunately for Junior Earle and his mother, Mary, who owned the woodpile, most of the wood was lost.
He estimates there were about 10 truckloads of wood in the pile, seven loads of which had burned.
The woodpile was located about a kilometre from the nearest house.
Earle said the wood was valued at close to $1,100 when accounting for labour.
He suggested the fire may have been started intentionally with gasoline since it was windy and raining at the time.
“I don’t think I was a target because most people wouldn’t know it was my wood,” he told The Northern Pen. “I guess it’s just a random act and they just wanted to do some damage to somebody."
RCMP Cpl. Shane Clarke said the fire cause is not determined, and an investigation is underway.
He said RCMP is speaking with residents in the area to determine if anyone saw anything.
The Earles will now have to purchase more wood for the winter.
“I’m hurt about it, especially for my mother,” he said.
Anyone with information who would like to place an anonymous tip can call CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
