Maria Canton
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 07/99) - Flames rapidly consumed a family's mobile home yesterday in the Northland Trailer Park at 521 Catalina Dr.

The trailer, owned by Xavier Fabien, was undergoing complete renovations and only one person and the family dog were home when the fire started around 5:30 p.m.

The person escaped without injury, but the dog later died from smoke inhalation.

"Because the entire building was under construction there weren't any fire stops, it was like putting together a big pile of kindling," said Fire Chief Mick Beauchamp.

"It spread very rapidly throughout the house, I'd say within three quarters of an hour the roof was basically burnt right off the building."

Neighbours and passers-by filled backyards and balconies to watch in shock as flames and thick, black smoke filled the sky only six weeks after fire destroyed another trailer in the park.

"The trailer right behind it just went up a few weeks ago," said Lorne Gerwing, as he and his girlfriend watched from their driveway.

Another neighbour, Linda St. Amand, said she saw the smoke at about 5:45 p.m.

"I went to the phone, but then I heard the sirens. I know the people are OK, but I'm worried about the dog."

The 24 firefighters on the scene had the flames down and under control within an hour.

"Once the roof was off, it made it very easy for us," said Beauchamp.

"We just put a lot water on it and knocked it down."

The cause of the fire is still unknown, but the first team of investigators began working in the gutted trailer yesterday morning.

The initial loss is estimated at $150,000 for the building and $70,000 for the contents.

"Words can't describe this," said a close friend of the family as he watched the inspectors on Thursday morning.

"It's funny, just last week we were talking and he (the owner) was saying how happy he was with the renovations.

"Of course, they're glad no one was hurt, but you just never know until it hits so close to home."