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Home in St. Norbert destroyed by fire

By: Geoff Kirbyson

Posted: 01/16/2012 6:19 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies) | Last Modified: 01/16/2012 12:47 PM | Updates

WAYNE GLOWACKI/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Enlarge Image

WINNIPEG -- A fire that started in a garage early this morning has completely destroyed a St. Norbert house.

The three members of the Brar family were all up early this morning. One of them went into their attached garage to plug in a vehicle and 10 minutes later they were scrambling to safety at their neighbours' house.

Enlarge Image

(WAYNE GLOWACKI/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Enlarge Image

(WAYNE GLOWACKI/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

"Everybody is safe," said Bikram Brar, running his fingers through his grey beard. His grown son, Robbie, said by the time they realized what was going on the fire was "quite big."

"We had two vehicles in the garage that were full of gas," he said.

Damage to the home and its contents is $500,000, said a city spokeswoman.

While talking to a reporter, the family paused to watch live television footage of the blaze.

Firefighting efforts were hampered because there are no fire hydrants on Minerva Avenue.

"We're shuttling water. It's out of the water district," said platoon fire chief Jim Zaborniak.

Indeed, firetrucks could be seen filling up at hydrants just south of the Perimeter Highway.

Flames, which had totally engulfed the house before sunrise, could be seen from Hwy. 75.

The family, which has insurance, has lived in the two-storey home since 1986.

A city spokeswoman did not have the cause of the fire Monday afternoon and said the blaze remains under investigation.

St. Norbert Coun. Justin Swandel said the location of the fire is "rural in nature," and said it happened outside the city’s water service area.

"There are quite a few properties like this outside the (Perimeter) and in south Charleswood and east Transcona," he said.

Swandel said people are aware of the lack of hydrants when they buy the properties.

"They have to haul the water out by truck, they got to do the water shuttling...I don’t know what it does to them timing wise," he said.

"People are aware that when they buy the houses, they know that there’s no fire hydrants. It’s no different than a rural house outside the city. If you go to the RM of Springfield, there’s no fire hydrants."

geoff.kirbyson@freepress.mb.ca

History

Updated on Monday, January 16, 2012 at 7:09 AM CST: Updates fire in St. Norbert

8:26 AM: Updates story with comment from owner, fire official

8:31 AM: Pictures added

12:47 PM: Adds quotes, damage estimate

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