Family escapes Summerside house fire without injury
'It's a devastating thing for a young family this close to Christmas'
The Canadian Red Cross is helping a family of four after a fire damaged their home in Summerside, P.E.I., Monday evening.
Firefighters responded to the fire at a bungalow on Beaver Street around 9:30 p.m.
No one was injured and everyone made it out of the house unharmed, officials said.
When crews arrived, the garage and two vehicles were on fire, says Ron Enman, chief with the Summerside fire department.
"There was one vehicle inside the garage and then there was their SUV was in the driveway in front of the garage," Enman said.
Cause not yet determined
Enman said the fire was "knocked down pretty quick" but crews stayed on the scene overnight to make sure "hot spots" were extinguished.
"It's just a beautiful home, it's just such a shame, you know, a young family with two small children. But the main thing is everybody got out — that's the most important thing," Enman said.
The house sustained heavy smoke and water damage, and he said he doesn't know if the family will be able to return their home.
"It's a devastating thing for a young family this close to Christmas," Enman said.
Enman said he believes blaze started in the garage, but the fire marshal is still investigating the cause.
Volunteers with the Canadian Red Cross have helped the woman, man, and two children with emergency purchases like clothing, food, blankets, and comfort toys for the children, the organization said in a written release.
Relatives of the family have provided a cottage nearby where the family will stay for now.
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With files from Brittany Spencer and Natalia Goodwin