The man injured during a fire early Sunday in his Campbell River home fell from the roof while battling the blaze.
Campbell River Fire Chief Thomas Doherty said it is understandable that people do what they can to save their homes and possessions, “but at the same time it’s incredibly dangerous. And it can potentially create a much bigger issue.”
He said it is very fortunate the man didn’t fall into the fire given that the roof’s structure was compromised.
Such a fall would have greatly changed the dynamics of the situation, Doherty said. “We would have had to have made some sort of an entry into that house, given the unsafe conditions, to try to rescue him.”
The injured man was taken to hospital.
He and two other people had arrived at the home on South Island Highway and discovered smoke and fire in the attic.
When firefighters arrived about 3:35 a.m., the blaze had made its way through the roof and was spreading to the one-level home’s living areas.
Doherty said the damage was quite substantial and could result in the home having to be torn down, given its age.
Fire investigators have ruled out arson as the cause. The fire appears to have started in the attic area and might have been electrical, but Thomas said the cause could end up being classified as undetermined.
