HARVIE HEIGHTS – There were no injuries after a garage fire in Harvie Heights was quickly extinguished by Canmore Fire Rescue and Exshaw Fire Rescue crews Thursday night.
Firefighters were called to the scene late Thursday night when neighbours saw smoke coming from the garage, Keri Martens, the deputy chief for Canmore Fire Rescue, said.
After crews arrived, they located the source of the fire and were able to quickly extinguish the fire. The homeowners - who were out at the time - arrived home shortly afterwards, she said.
“It wasn’t very long after crews arrived that it was considered under control. … the actual containment of the fire didn’t take very long at all.”
Martens said three trucks were at the scene from Canmore and a water tender was called in from Exshaw when the fire was confirmed.
“When crews got there, they did notice some smoke coming out from the eaves area and the sides of the garage and they concentrated on the garage. They were able to gain entrance, locate the scene of the fire using a water line and a thermal imaging device. … They quickly extinguished it and proceeded to make sure there was no extension into the rest of the house,” Martens said.
“There was a lot of smoke initially and there was concern of fire extension from the garage to the house itself. They confirmed that had not happened.”
The scene was turned over to Exshaw Fire Rescue once the fire had been put out, Martens said. She said the MD of Bighorn handled the fire’s investigation. Rick Lyster, the chief of Exshaw Fire Rescue said in an email the fire was deemed accidental.
“Once we were confident the fire was out, our crews cleaned up and cleared and turned the scene over to Chief Lyster with Exshaw Fire.”
While Harvie Heights is in the MD of Bighorn, the two municipalities have a first response agreement that has Canmore respond to calls in the hamlet with the ability to reach out to Exshaw Fire.
“It was a great effort by everyone involved from the neighbour calling it in to the crews on scene," Martens said. "For Canmore and Exshaw Fire to work together, it further emphasizes that we have great protection in our valley and everyone can work together.”
