Spire damaged, but firefighters save Fernwood heritage home
Driver runs to front door to alert owner about smoke billowing from house
Firefighters use a chainsaw to cut through the roof of a cupola in a fire that started in the attic of a Fernwood heritage home on Wednesday. Crews stopped the blaze from spreading throughout the wood-frame house that was built in 1905.
The spire on a cupola was the main casualty after fire broke out in the attic of a Fernwood heritage home on Wednesday morning.
Firefighters used a chainsaw to cut through the roof of the cupola on the two-storey home at the corner of Balmoral and Fernwood roads. Firefighters then sprayed water into the attic to douse the hot spots.
Victoria Fire said it was a difficult fire to access but crews worked quickly to prevent the fire from spreading throughout the wood-frame house.
Homeowner Gary Lang said he and the downstairs tenant were at home when he heard a car horn over and over.
The driver ran to the front door to alert Lang to the smoke coming from the roof.
A neighbour also saw the smoke and called 911 about 9:15 a.m.
Seventeen firefighters, three engine trucks, a ladder truck, a rescue vehicle and a command vehicle arrived minutes later.
Lang said he purchased the heritage home in 1998 and has undertaken about $400,000 in renovations.
He has been renovating the main floor over the past two years, and much of the furniture was stored in the attic, where the fire appears to have started.
“It was just packed with stuff,” Lang said while across the street at neighbour’s home, watching firefighters douse the flames.
He said he restores old furniture as a hobby so has a lot of furniture polish in the attic.
Lang said his home is only one of two in the city where both the house and the property itself have been designated as heritage sites.
The home was built in 1905 by the Parfitt Brothers, who also built Victoria High School and the Bay Street Armoury.
“It’s a well-made house. It’s got a solid concrete foundation,” Lang said.
The residents will receive assistance from Victoria Emergency Social Services. All tenants had insurance coverage and the home was insured.
Victoria fire inspectors were on the scene Wednesday afternoon to determine what caused the blaze. A damage estimate has not been determined, but there is significant water damage throughout the house.