New Year’s blaze likely human caused
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On Jan. 1, at about 3 a.m., the Steinbach fire department was called to a barn fire at the corner of Loewen Boulevard and Hespeler Street.
“When we arrived, the barn was fully involved. We knew the barn was abandoned and was not savable, so our efforts were concentrated on protecting the houses on Lyndhurst Gate. We were fortunate that the wind was directly out of the west and that helped in protecting the homes,” said fire chief Kelvin Toews.
The fire commissioner was called, but it was determined that there was no reason to investigate the fire. Toews said since the building was unoccupied and there was no electricity or gas to the building the cause is likely human.
“If anyone saw anything suspicious at that location on New Year’s Day or saw people around that barn, I would urge them to contact the police,” said Toews.