KENTVILLE, NS – Firefighters are still trying to determine the cause of a house fire that broke out around 2 p.m. Feb. 1 on MacDonald Park Drive in Kentville.
The Kentville Volunteer Fire Department was called to the scene in the subdivision across from Memorial Park and the initial 360 assessment revealed there was smoke showing on all sides of the two-story house with brown brick and pale blue siding at the rear. Additional departments were dispatched to assist with the working structure fire.
Multiple departments fought the blaze alongside Kentville, including New Minas, Port Williams, Canning and Waterville.
Nova Scotia Power, local police and paramedics were also on scene.
Kentville Fire Chief Ryan MacEachern confirmed the fire is suspected to have started in the basement, but that more investigation will be needed to determine the source for certain.
“When these fires work their way through the entire house, we know it always starts from a low point. We still can’t say exactly where though,” he said.
Crews entered the house at 3 p.m. and were called out of the structure at 3:40 p.m. to continue battling the fire from outside. Moments later, at 3:45 p.m., fire broke through the roof of the home.
Thick smoke rolled out of the windows and flames shot through the roof as firefighters fought the fire. An aerial truck was used by two firefighters to point a hose at the roof and saw through the roof to allow heat to escape.
Family members returned to the scene Feb. 2 as firefighters helped them sort through the house and salvage any personal items that survived the fire.
Many firefighters remained on scene investigating several potential sources of the fire, and MacEachern said there is no current reason to be suspicious.
He also confirmed the fire marshal’s office would be on the scene later in the day to investigate, and that firefighters will remain there throughout the day.
MacEachern said it remained unconfirmed whether the house is a total loss.
“This house has extensive damage, and that’s really all we can say right now. It was a bad fire,” he said.
