Fire destroyed a gazebo along the city trail system early Wednesday morning.
Located on the edge of downtown on the east side of Gaetz Avenue, just south of the bridge over the Red Deer River, the Janet McLaren Cook Arbor gazebo had a roof and five park benches.
Later in the morning, city workers were removing the charred remains of the shelter.
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More police patrols of Red Deer’s parks, trails are planned for this summer
Fire safety codes officer Ken Rosgen said firefighters arrived shortly after 5:08 a.m. to a fully involved structure fire.
“I don’t know the exact cause, other than it appears to have originated in the garbage can and then went up into the wooden gazebo,” said Rosgen who has completed his investigation.
He said the garbage can was located behind one of the middle benches, and some tree branches that hung over the gazebo were also scorched.
Two fire engines and a brush truck responded to the blaze.
Red Deer Transit driver Lawanda Ramsey said she was driving in her bus to begin her route and just before she crossed the bridge she noticed light and smoke. When she got closer the middle section of the arbor was on fire, and she quickly called 911 at 4:58 a.m.
By the time she drove by again at 6:10 a.m. the fire was out.
“I was worried about all those big trees. It’s been dry. Fires can spread so quickly,” Ramsey said.
“I’m just glad they were able to get there quickly and save all the trees.”
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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