Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

NNSL (Mar 24/99) - A mother and her teenaged daughter were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns, when a mobile home was gutted by fire late Sunday night in the Northland's Trailer Park.

Fire Chief Mick Beauchamp, said the fire was discovered after the owner, Laurel Parry and her daughter had gone to bed.

"They were asleep and the daughter smelled something, so she got up and woke up the mother," Beauchamp said.

"The mother burned her hand on the door trying to exit, so they got out through the window."

The two are lucky to escape the blaze, Beauchamp noted, as this type of fire can be very dangerous.

"These old-style trailers burn very quickly, once they start," Beauchamp said.

Both the mother and daughter were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns, he said.

As well, one firefighter was also treated for cuts to his hand while attending the blaze, he said.

Damage caused by the fire was around $45,000 to the property and $20,000 to the family's contents, the chief said.

Deputy fire Chief, Sandy McPhee, said an analysis of the scene has led fire officials to believe the fire was started by a vacuum cleaner.

"Our investigation is pointing towards a faulty vacuum cleaner," McPhee said. "The analysis revealed that the pattern of heat buildup originated with the vacuum."

The investigation is continuing, McPhee said.