Photo credit: Tim Hall
Cochrane Fire Services, Rocky View Fire Services, Cochrane RCMP, and EMS were all on the scene of a fire that engulfed a farmhouse, just behind St. Mary’s Catholic Church and across from Cochrane Dodge today (November 11).
Inspector Jeff Avery with Cochrane Fire Services says the call came in around noon. “When the crews got on scene, the garage was fully engulfed and spreading to the main part of the house. The crews got up here quickly, and we did call in Rocky View for mutual aid as well. The biggest challenge was water.”
Shuttling water between three to four different trucks, Avery says once water supply was established the crews knocked the fire down quickly, “The crews did a great job of getting up here in a timely fashion and hitting it with water. Unfortunately, it was an older farmhouse, and it looks like a total loss. There was a puppy inside the house at the time, and he didn’t make it, but there were no fatalities.”
A reasonably substantial dollar loss, Avery shares they will likely get started on the investigation tomorrow (November 12).
Although the farmhouse was slated for demolition, Avery says the family has had to make alternate arrangements for now. “They still had some time to live here. Unfortunately, this home will not be able to be occupied again. They have been in touch with insurance and will likely be put up in a hotel while they look for an alternative place to live.”
The preliminary investigation is not showing signs of foul play; however, it will take several days for the cause to be released. “At this time, we don’t believe it is foul play, I have talked to the homeowners, and it doesn’t appear to be that way.”
We will release more details as they become available.