The year has gotten off to an exceptionally rough start for the people living in a Central Fort George home.
Just before 1 a.m. on New Year's Day, Prince George Fire Rescue crews from three halls were called to a report of smoke coming out of the attic of a duplex at the corner of 8th Avenue and Harper Street.
The blaze was contained largely to the roof space, but damage was enough to force the occupants out of the homes for the time being.
"They're difficult to get to, especially with the cold and the winter, but they were able to restrict most of the damage into the roof space and limited damage to the living space," PGFR Chief Cliff Warner said Tuesday.
That 911 was called immediately upon noticing the smoke helped prevent further damage, Warner said.
The occupants - made up of two families totalling four people - got out safely. Through the city's emergency support services program, they were given three days of support, which includes lodging, food, and clothing.
The fire left gaping holes in the home's roof and to either side and a metal fence has been erected around the building's perimeter. The cause appears to be accidental but a firm conclusion remains pending a closer look.
"We're just working with the insurance adjusters to determine the stability of the building and then we're going to finalize (the investigation) but at this point we're landing on accidental," Warner said.
