UPDATE July 13 – A quick response from Kamloops Fire and Rescue stopped a house fire from spreading to neighbouring home in Aberdeen yesterday afternoon.

The fire broke out at a house in the 2200-block of Sifton Lane around 3:45 p.m.

“When we first arrived on scene, we knocked on all the doors and we got no answer so we made the assumption nobody was home,” KFR Assistant Chief, Darryl Cooper told NL News. “We did go into the home and we didn’t find any people inside.”

“Unfortunately, there were a couple of pets that were deceased in the fire and we had some people come and take care of those unfortunately for the home owners. It was pretty hard for them.”

The fire is believed to have started on a deck of the house before speeding to the structure and to a neighbouring house. A fence and a hedge were also on fire but Cooper says they were able to get things under control quickly.

“When crews arrived they found heavy black smoke coming from one building and a second house starting to catch fire,” he said.

“Initially, crews started a defensive mode and then transitioned to an offensive attack. They knocked down the fire and got a quick turnover, a quick cleanup.”

Firefighters were on scene within five minutes of the call, and they had both fires under control around 4:45 p.m. Cooper says they cleared the scene about three hours later, at 7:10 p.m.

In a tweet this morning, KFR also says they believe lessons can be learned from every fire they respond to.

“[We are] adamant about the removal of cedars, and Fire Smart principles,” they said. “Had crews not been so quick to respond, the second home may have been lost.”

KFR crews extinguished a residential fire yesterday, and we believe every fire has a teaching point. @kamloopsfirerescue is adamant about the removal of cedars, and Fire Smart principles. Had crews not been so quick to respond, the second home may have been lost. Fire Smart. pic.twitter.com/jZK9Z5oNAE

— Kamloops Fire Rescue (@KamFire) July 13, 2022

Video of the fire can be seen below. (WARNING – Strong language)

Scary moments in Aberdeen this afternoon. This home was fully engulfed though KFR had it knocked down quick. I don’t have any other information. This was taken by a family friend #Kamloops pic.twitter.com/nDOMsP8fOi

— Casey (@KCmacaulay) July 12, 2022