PENHOLD – Firefighters have determined that an open flame heater inside a mobile home was "likely” the cause of a fire that destroyed two homes at Penhold Estates Mobile Home Park.
The Feb. 12 blaze at the mobile home park has left two couples and their dogs homeless. Both couples and their pets did not sustain any injuries. However, most of their possessions along with their homes were destroyed.
"They are homeless. It is awful,” said fire Chief Jim Pendergast of the Penhold Fire Department, adding neither homeowner had insurance, "which is very sad. "
He said both couples managed to find shelter Monday night at relatives’ homes.
Pendergast said fire department crews responded to the first call of a fire shortly after 4 p.m. on Feb. 12. He said firefighters determined the blaze started in Unit 20, a manufactured home built in 1975. The fire chief said the blaze then spread to Unit 21, a manufactured home constructed in 1974.
"Building and fire codes were not as stringent at the time the units were built as they are now and the close proximity contributed to the rapid fire spread,” said Pendergast.
He said there was no natural gas service to Unit 20. Occupants depended on heat through several portable open flame heaters. Pendergast said at least one was in operation at the time of the origin, and was "most likely the cause of the fire.”
He said the owners of Unit 20 normally shut off the propane when leaving their home but on Feb. 12 they went outside and left it running.
"I think they were cleaning their vehicle out front,” said Pendergast, adding the occupants noticed heavy smoke coming from the front door.
When firefighters arrived at the scene to battle the fire they immediately encountered challenges in their battle to save the homes.
"Both units had been renovated many times over the years, which created many voids and dead spaces hampering the ability of firefighters to reach some of the deep-seated hot spots,” said Pendergast. "Both units are a total loss.”
Pendergast said one firefighter suffered a torn muscle from a fall and was transported to hospital and later released to return home. The firefighter is expected to return to work next week.
Pendergast said Penhold fire crews, who were joined by Innisfail firefighters, remained on scene until the early hours of Tuesday morning.
"We also wish to thank Innisfail’s firefighters for their great assistance and Guardian EMS for remaining on scene and providing monitoring and rehabilitation to our firefighters,” he said. "Penhold is such a great community and many businesses and citizens provided us with refreshments throughout the night.”
Jim Pendergast, fire chief of the Penhold Fire Department
"Building and fire codes were not as stringent at the time the units were built as they are now, and the close proximity contributed to the rapid fire spread."
