Fire crews work hard to stop the spread of the fire. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Emergency response

Midtown fire claims two homes

May 12, 2023 | 5:40 PM

Editor’s note: This story was updated Saturday morning to reflect a statement from the Prince Albert fire dept.

A pair of homes in Prince Albert’s midtown area have been destroyed as a result of a late afternoon fire on Friday.

Police and fire crews were called to the 400 block of 11th St. E. The fire started in a brown, brick home and spread to the green house next door.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, however neighbours who were standing on the curb watching, described the brick home as a source of multiple problems. One man recalled hearing a loud popping noise.

The man living there was among those gathered on the sidewalk and was holding his guitar. One of his hands was freshly bandaged. He told paNOW he had punched out his neighbour’s window, while making sure everyone was out.

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The man also told paNOW he believed someone started a fire in behind his house.

A young woman, who confirmed for paNOW she lived in the green house, said she, her sister and their dad were all at work. The family’s two cats were however inside. One of the cats was only four months old..

An online fundraiser has been launched to help the family. You can find the link here.

“This fire made a total loss of everything they owned. Although everyone made it out safe, two family pets were lost,” the post reads.

The family indicated they are in need of donations (anything at all).

“We are looking to raise anything and everything possible. Any and all donations will be accepted and greatly appreciated,” they said.

According to an online statement from the Prince Albert Fire Dept., crews were dispatched to the scene at 3:44 p.m., for a grass fire that had spread to a structure.

When firefighters arrived the two homes were burning, along with both back yards and fences.

“Crews worked defensively to protect surrounding structures from fire spread, and were eventuality able to control and extinguish the two initial structure fires,” the statement said.

The fire dept. was also able to confirm that while there was major damages to the two homes, there were no injuries to report.

At approximately 9p.m., the fire dept. responded to the 500 block of 10th Street East for a report of a person lighting a grass fire.

Upon arrival the individual was apprehended by Police before they could get the fire started. It’s not clear at this time if the two fires are in any way related beyond their proximity to each other.

This is a developing story and paNOW will continue to provide updates as they are available.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The flames spread very fast from one house to the other. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

It truly was a team effort. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Fire fighters attacked the fire from all angles. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell