A fierce fire destroyed a Deep Cove waterfront home Wednesday. The owners escaped safely, but their dog remains missing.
Deep Cove Waterfront Home Destroyed in Fierce Fire
A large waterfront home in Deep Cove was destroyed by fire Wednesday evening, while a family dog remains missing after the blaze.
The fire broke out around 5 p.m. on Sept. 16 near Strathcona Road. Residents quickly noticed thick smoke and called 911.
However, the source was not clear at first. Then firefighters arrived and found flames tearing through a four-storey home on the beach in the 4800 block of Strathcona Place.
“This was a big one for us,” said District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services assistant chief Scott Ferguson. “We had a really aggressive fire.”
Firefighters Faced Tough Conditions
The fire proved difficult to fight from the start.
First, the steep slope made access hard. Also, the homes sit close together, leaving little room for crews and equipment.
As a result, firefighters had to work from a neighbour’s balcony and cut through bushes to reach the flames. At times, the fire also jumped into nearby trees.
The home was under construction, too. That created another danger.
Part of the scaffolding burned away and began to lean toward firefighters working below. Crews had to watch it closely while battling the fire.
Owners Escaped, but Dog Was Missing
The homeowners got out safely. Their dog, however, could not be found.
Firefighters searched for the animal and tried to get it outside. The owners also called for the dog.
Sadly, the fire had already spread too far.
“It was unfortunate,” Ferguson said.
The search for the dog continued as crews worked to control the blaze.
Fire Boat Helped Stop the Flames
Because the home stood right beside the water, Ferguson called for help from the Vancouver Fire Department’s fire boat.
The boat arrived within about 20 minutes. It then helped firefighters attack the flames from the water.
That support proved important. According to Ferguson, it helped stop the fire from reaching nearby homes and forested areas.
Meanwhile, smoke spread across the water and reduced visibility.
“When I had a look out to the water side, it was like a fog went right across the water,” Ferguson said.
Crews Stayed Overnight
Firefighters eventually knocked down the main flames. Still, the job was far from over.
Crews spent hours checking for hot spots and putting out small flare-ups. Then, a four-person team stayed overnight to keep watch.
Insurance representatives also arrived at the scene. However, Ferguson said the home appears to be a total loss.
Thankfully, the neighbouring home appears to have escaped major damage. At this point, it is expected to have mainly smoke damage.
Investigation Underway
Fire investigators returned to the scene Thursday to find out how the fire started.
Meanwhile, Ferguson praised residents for their quick response during the emergency.
Neighbours helped guide firefighters and showed crews where they could work. Their efforts also helped limit the spread of the fire.
“We had all hands on deck,” Ferguson said. “That was fantastic.”
For now, the investigation continues, while the search for the missing dog remains a major concern for the homeowners.
