Three separate fires in Central Alberta over as many days, including an especially tragic one that took the lives of three people, have also destroyed three homes and challenged firefighters during severe weather conditions.
Investigators have still not been able to locate the bodies of the three family members who died in a house fire near Castor on Sunday morning.
“Because of the condition of the structure and the debris, our investigators have not been able to enter to complete their investigation,” RCMP K Division spokesperson Sgt. Josée Valiquette said Tuesday.
Sandy and Gordon Klaus, and their grown daughter Monica Klaus who was home visiting, are believed to have died in the early morning fire at their farm. The couple’s other child, son Jason, was not home at the time.
“Three people remain unaccounted for. They have not been located,” said Valiquette.
Castor is about 140 km east of Red Deer.
On Friday afternoon, a fire destroyed a log home north of Lacombe.
Lacombe fire chief Ed vanDelden said no one was at home at the time of the blaze that was reported by a neighbour at about 3:40 p.m.
Four cats died in the fire. No other injuries were reported.
He said the fire was quite involved when firefighters arrived. Due to the severity of the blaze, a call went out to Bentley, Clive and Mirror fire departments who helped battle the flames at 26203 Milton Rd. in Lacombe County.
About 30 firefighters were on scene in -37C weather with the windchill and in deep snow around the house.
It took a “herculean” effort for firefighters to plow through while pulling a hose full of water and wearing full gear including breathing apparatus, said vanDelden.
They contended with multiple frozens pump valves, ice on facemasks, frozen regulators, getting wet, and extremely cold and wet hands.
Damage was estimated at $430,000.
“There is significant burning both inside and outside. There’s no question it will be a total loss,” vanDelden said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The log home had a loft and the open concept probably allowed fire to spread quickly, he said.
No other structures or homes were threatened by the fire.
On Saturday night a Stettler family was left homeless after a blaze.
A couple and their two young children managed to flee the home and were not injured.
Stettler Regional Fire Chief Mark Dennis said on Tuesday that when fire crews arrived on scene about 9:30 p.m., the home was fully aflame. It took volunteer firefighters about two hours to bring the fire under control and crews finally left the scene about 1:30 a.m. The temperature was in the -23C range.
The house in the town’s Grandview neighbourhood had extensive fire and water damage and is likely a write off. Fire crews managed to limit damage to a neighbouring house to the outside wall and soffits.
Dennis estimates the fire caused $500,000 worth of damage to the two homes, including contents.
The blaze was fireplace related but investigators are trying to determine exactly what went wrong.
Victim Services came to the aid of the family, who were put up in a local hotel. The community is already rallying to help them.
“It’s a small community. Everybody is sort of getting together and trying to support them as best they can and get them back on their feet.
“I talked to the homeowners yesterday and they were in good spirits, considering.”
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com