Upper Lynn fire leaves family homeless

An upper Lynn Valley family has lost their home to an early morning house fire.

District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services received the 9-1-1 dispatch at 5:15 a.m. Wednesday when residents spotted smoke and flames from the home on Hoskins Road, near Coleman Street.

Firefighters could see a thick column of smoke from the Lynn Valley fire station, according to assistant chief Mike Cairns.

By the time firefighters arrived, two 14-and 16-year-old girls and their mother heard the fire and smoke detectors and safely got out.

It appears the fire started in the garage and spread to the home's kitchen and attic.

It is not likely the rest of the house can be salvaged, though the family is insured, Cairns said.

"A good portion of the roof was burned away so part of the roof is collapsing and there's heavy smoke and water damage throughout the house," he said.

Unfortunately, it is likely the cause of the blaze will go down as "undetermined."

"The fire damage is so severe. .. that it will be very difficult to determine the

exact cause and point of origin," Cairns said.

Emergency Social Services volunteers were assisting the family within a half-hour, Cairns said. They've since been provided with some new clothing and temporary accommodation at a local hotel.

"It's a really big help for the residents because we can't deal with the residents right away in those first few hours because we're dealing with the fire," Cairns said.

The incident underscores the need to have working smoke detectors and a quick exit plan in the event of a fire, Cairns said.