Fire department investigating small back-alley blaze on SE Hill

By Medicine Hat News on July 24, 2020.

Medicine Hat Fire Services responded to the scene of a fire on the Southeast Hill on Thursday morning.

Scott Hanelt, fire marshall and chief investigator, says the fire took place in the back lane between homes on Sixth and Seventh streets in the 200 block.

The main area of the fire appears to have been concentrated on two recycling bins and a grey bin. Hanelt says the bins were, however, empty because Tuesday had been garbage pickup in the area.

Some weeds nearby were burned but it is unclear whether that was the trigger. Police investigated along with fire services and although the hydrocarbon-based material that the bins are made of could burn readily, it is unclear whether a discarded cigarette could have started the fire. The homeowners are non-smokers.

As a result of the bins burning a wooded fence has also been destroyed and an established tree was affected by the flames.

Total damage is estimated to be between $1,200 and $1,500.

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