Video: Fire damages home in east Maple Ridge

Maple Ridge firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 11600 block of 256 Street on the morning of Sept. 3. The first call came at about 10:18 a.m.; firefighters arriving at the home saw smoke and called for additional resources.

Assistant fire chief Gary Porter said the fire began in the basement and travelled through a vent to the main floor, where it ignited furniture. Both levels of the home were damaged. The homeowner was found safe outside, and no injuries were reported.

About 20 firefighters attended and extinguished the fire by about 11:45 a.m. Primary and secondary searches found no other occupants, Porter said. Some firefighters remained with an active hose line in case of a rekindle.

Porter said it was uncertain whether the homeowner would be displaced, but he likely would not be able to occupy the home immediately after crews left. BC Hydro and Fortis Gas attended to disconnect services.

The homeowner had been doing construction work in the basement. Fire chief Dave Samson confirmed he had been soldering pipes for a plumbing project, but Porter said investigators had not determined whether that work caused the fire.