It appears that a fire that destroyed a home in Lake Country was accidentally ignited by a burning candle.
Firefighters were called to the blaze on Maddock Avenue in the early morning hours of May 25.
Brent Penner, deputy fire chief, says extensive damage to the home means the exact cause is difficult to establish but adds it started outside on the home's balcony.
"We've gone through the investigation process. We spoke with neighbours and we have a lot of video coverage, even before we arrived," said Penner.
"We do know it started on the outside balcony at the front of the house and it looks to be accidental. The probable cause is one of several candles outside that was lit that night."
Occupant Ray Tremblay was able to escape from the blaze.
"It was lucky that he got out alive, with that much fire going on," said Steve Windsor, fire chief, who along with Penner, was first to arrive on the scene.
"The house was fully involved on both levels with fire showing from every window and doorway."
Some residents complained about the response from the Lake Country Fire Department, but Penner says the first fire truck was staffed with five volunteer firefighters and left the Winfield fire hall within six minutes of the original 911 call and arrived on scene 16 minutes after the emergency page.
"We were called to the fire at 1:20 a.m. and our guys did what any paid on-call department does, they got out of bed and had a good response," he said.
"We didn't lose any other structures and it didn't go up the hillside. If you have a big fire in the interface, you don't always get the best of it, but this time we did."