The bottom of Pine Avenue and Spokane Street in downtown Trail was cordoned off to pedestrians and vehicles Monday morning as the fire department continued to investigate an early morning blaze involving three West Trail homes.
At approximately 2 a.m. Monday morning, an initial duty crew of two firemen was called to the scene right at the top of Pine, where the avenue turns into Topping Street, confirmed Captain Jason Milne from Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue.
“When the first truck arrived one structure was completely consumed,” he said.
Two houses located on either side of the burning home were already ignited, which prompted a call to increase the number of crews to battle the flames.
“We had to extinguish the two homes which was a challenge,” said Milne.
By 7 a.m., 32 firefighters from Rossland, Warfield, Trail and Montrose, had the fire under control.
“Although the fire appears to have started in the middle home, the investigation is underway right now,” said Milne, adding, “we are treating this very seriously.”
Milne said it is unknown if the middle home, at 1557 Pine Ave., was occupied, however there were no injuries to the occupants of the other two affected homes or to fire crews.
The fire caused extensive damage to both homes, the loss of three vehicles on the properties, and the complete destruction of the middle home.