Two families have been forced out of their home for Christmas after a fire heavily damaged a Lynn Valley home on Friday afternoon.
Fire crews were called to the 3700 block of Hoskins Road shortly before noon, where they reported flames coming out of the eaves near the kitchen area on the second level of the home.
Assistant fire Chief Jim Bonneville of District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue said members of two families – one living in the upper floor of the house and one living in a basement suite – were home when the fire broke out. Four people had already evacuated the upper floor when fire crews arrived. Firefighters alerted members of the second family down below who were unaware of the fire, and got them out of the house.
Bonneville said fire crews extinguished the blaze quickly after arriving on the scene. The kitchen of the upper level of the home was destroyed in the fire and the rest of that main floor was heavily smoke damaged. The basement suite also sustained water and smoke damage, he said.
Bonneville said the cause of the fire is still under investigation although it is possible that it started with a pot of oil left on the stove by accident.
Emergency social services provided a place for both families to stay for a few days, said Bonneville.
The family living on the upper floor where the fire broke out own the home. The fire means nine people will now be looking for a new place to live – at least temporarily.
Bonneville said all that the occupants managed to get out of the home were a handful of clothes and some electronics. Most of their belongings were smoke damaged, he said.
– Jane Seyd
