The cause of two-morning fires on the city’s north side is under investigation, with a reminder is being issued to keep residential and commercial garbage bins away from buildings.
According to Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services officials, crews from four different stations responded to the first fire in the 200 block area of 13th Street North around 5 a.m. on Monday. According to reports, there was a fire behind a strip mall in the area and when firefighters arrived on the scene they found flames from two garbage bins quickly spreading up the exterior wall of two commercial units. Firefighters worked to knock down the fire using a hose line and prevented the flames from entering the building.
The second fire was reported Tuesday morning, with crews from four stations responding around 1:40 a.m. to the 200 block area of 13th Street North. The second fire was at a residential property. Officials say police patrol in the area spotted the fire and contacted emergency services. Firefighters found the flames on the outside of the home and quickly brought them under control.
No injuries were reported in either incident; the damage from the fires is estimated to be $4,000 for the first fire and $5,000 for the second.