REGINA – A fatal house fire on Quebec Street last week has been ruled unintentional.
That was what Randy Ryba, Fire Marshall for Regina Fire and Protective Services told reporters this afternoon.
On June 9, at 4:44 p.m., fire crews and police responded to the fire, and the person who succumbed to the flames was discovered inside the residence.
"The cause of the fire was the use or misuse of an open flame device while lighting a cigarette," he said, noting that open flame devices and improperly discarding smoking material is the leading cause of fires in North America.
“It happens very quickly and it can be easily prevented by care and caution,” Ryba said.
In particular, Ryba noted the device used was a butane torch, which had ignited combustible materials.
“The fire was intense,” explained Ryba. “The room that person was in was fully involved on arrival.”
Crews acted quickly, with the first truck on scene within four minutes, followed shortly thereafter by three other units.
“It’s always a challenge to get into rooms and buildings that are sometimes secured, but we got in there and did our very best and extinguished the fire,” Ryba said.
He also told SASKTODAY.ca that the neighbouring home sustained significant damage, displacing those living there.
“The fire did get into the roof system and did cause extensive damage to that dwelling as well,” he said. “All the residents in that dwelling are still displaced and probably will be for some time.”
A second person was in the home at 1704 Quebec Street, but managed to escape with minor injuries.
“This is the first fire fatality we’ve had in the last 18 months,” Ryba said, noting the average is two or three fatalities per year.
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