A two-storey home in Upper Sackville was destroyed in a fire Tuesday evening, the first in a series of calls that kept Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency crews busy overnight.

Deputy Chief Dave Meldrum said firefighters were called to reports of a serious fire on Sackville Drive around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Meldrum said the family evacuated the home safely.

The fire was severe and had spread to the roof, so it was not initially safe for crews to enter, he said.

The house was in what is known as a “hydrant-free zone” – meaning there is no fire hydrant – so seven fuel trucks were brought to the scene , as well as two fire trucks and a ladder truck.

Halifax Deputy Fire Chief Dave Meldrum said none of the fires that occurred Tuesday night were related. (Brett Ruskin/CBC)

Water for the tankers came from the nearby KOA campground.

“We entered the house once conditions permitted and they managed to find pets – two dogs and a cat – and safely return them to the hands of their owners,” Meldrum said during of a telephone interview Wednesday morning.

Meldrum added that since he was not on scene, he was not sure if these animals were found inside the burning house or outside the house.

He said the cause of the fire was being investigated and his heart went out to the family.

“It is still very difficult to see the loss of property, homes and things that are important to us,” he said.

Other fires in Herring Cove, Westphal

Crews were called to respond to another fire at a two-story home around 2:15 a.m. Wednesday on Ketch Harbor Road in Herring Cove, N.S.

Meldrum said the fire started outside the home but spread inside. Crews were quickly able to bring the situation under control and no one was injured.

He said the cause was determined to be improper disposal of smoking materials.

Meldrum urged people to be very careful when putting out cigarettes and other smoking items, especially given the time of year when there are leaves around properties.

“It’s becoming extremely common. People have metal cans outside that they think are safe, but when they dry out, those butts can go flying,” he said.

“Keep that stuff out of your house.”

He added that carelessly discarded cigarette butts can smolder for a long time before igniting.

About an hour and a half later in the Dartmouth community of Westphal, crews were called to a two-story home for a small fire outside the home. The fire was extinguished by the homeowner and no one was injured.

Crews were also called back to a two-story business on Thorne Avenue in Dartmouth Wednesday morning after a fire broke out again. A fire broke out in the business’ attic early Tuesday morning, but hidden embers caused the flames to reignite.

Meldrum said it was a busy night for firefighters, but none of the calls were related in any way.

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