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Neighbours band together to battle blaze

Neighbours banded together in the early morning hours of June 3rd to help fight a fire that was consuming a duplex on the southeast side of Bonnyville, before firefighters arrived on scene and fully extinguished the flames.
A duplex located at 4404 W 45ave in Bonnyville caught fire on June 3. Residents used water hoses to contain the fire before firefighters arrived on scene and fully
A duplex located at 4404 W 45ave in Bonnyville caught fire on June 3. Residents used water hoses to contain the fire before firefighters arrived on scene and fully extiguished the flames. Regional fire chief Brian McEvoy said the actions of neighbours helped save the structure.

Neighbours banded together in the early morning hours of June 3rd to help fight a fire that was consuming a duplex on the southeast side of Bonnyville, before firefighters arrived on scene and fully extinguished the flames.

Regional Fire Chief Brian McEvoy said the efforts of the neighbours were commendable and helped save the structure and surrounding homes.

“Those neighbours taking the actions they could to contain the fire in those circumstances certainly limited the damage to the home,” said McEvoy. “Without that immediate action the damages could have been much worse.”

McEvoy said Bonnyville firefighters arrived on the scene soon after receiving the call and were able to fully extinguish the fire, after the neighbours had it contained.

He noted the structure was saved, however there was fire and smoke damage to the back entrance, kitchen and bathroom of one side of the duplex.

“One of the volunteer firefighters shook my hand and said that I saved the duplex and possibly the next door neighbour's house,” said André Laflamme, who lives with his wife and daughter in the other half of the duplex and was among the neighbours fighting the fire.

Laflamme said despite the damages, neighbours and the community should be proud of the support they showed for each other.

“The community needs to know that the residents do care and have a heart and that is something to be proud of.”

Laflamme recounts the events of that night, saying his wife had just put their daughter to bed when she heard a loud bang and saw flames shooting up one side of the home.

That's when Laflamme and neighbours jumped into action.

“After my wife and daughter were safely out of the house I grabbed my water hose and started to fight the fire,” said Laflamme. “A neighbour of ours went to the house on the left and used their hose to help me.

“With his help, we stopped it from spreading to the other homes, as the fence was also on fire.”

With the recent rain and cooler weather, the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority has lifted all fire bans and restrictions.

McEvoy confirmed all burning permits were now being issued but he cautioned those burning to continue to use care and vigilance.

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