A raging fire that tore through the upper floor of an Akinsdale home this week caused at least $300,000 in damage.
No one was physically hurt in the blaze, but one of the family's dogs suffered smoke inhalation and died despite firefighters' best efforts.
The fire started around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon at 17 Andrew Crescent while the family's two adolescent children were at home.
The pair was in the kitchen when they heard strange noises coming from upstairs.
Their grandmother, Sharon Murray, said her grandson went upstairs to check on the noise and was confronted with the raging inferno.
"He opened his bedroom door and was greeted with a whoompf of flame and smoke."
Murray, who lives just down the street, said her grandson briefly attempted to fight the blaze with a garden hose, but neighbours quickly pulled him away.
She said firefighters told her the garden hose did keep the carpet wet, preventing it from catching alight.
Murray said she also went back into the house in an effort to get the dog out, but she couldn't find the animal, who was deaf and blind.
"I kept calling her and calling her until finally someone dragged me out of there."
She said the family is taking some comfort knowing the animal likely didn't suffer.
"She was overwhelmed with smoke and just continued sleeping."
Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control. The rear bedroom appeared completely destroyed and flames jumped onto the roof at one point, spreading across the shingles.
Power bar likely
Fire Chief Ray Richards said the early signs point to an older model power bar that overheated. He said investigators are looking at other possible causes, but the power bar appears most likely.
He said older units have been a problem in the past.
"It is for the first generation of power bars. There was quite a problem with them. They tended to overheat."
Richards said when older units get hot enough, they can ignite anything lightweight placed on top of them. He added newer units are not a problem and if people are concerned, they should look for a newer model that comes without the overheating danger.
"The best thing you can do is buy ones that have the thermal protection built right into them and are CSA approved."
He said as a general rule it is a good idea to make sure air can circulate around electrical cords to eliminate any danger of overheating.
"Any electrical extension cord or power cord like that, it is a good idea to try and keep some open air around it so it doesn't heat up."
