Update – Owner to rebuild home destroyed by fire

The owner of a home destroyed by a weekend fire in Upper Manor Estates says he will rebuild on the same site.

Paul Tipping said Tuesday that while he, his wife and four children lost material possessions in the blaze, they are happy that everyone is safe.

"We accounted for our family. From that it doesn't matter," he said.

No one was at the home on Estate Way east of St. Albert when the fire broke out on Saturday night.

Damage is pegged at $1.3 million. Sturgeon County emergency services responded to a call from a neighbour at 11:37 p.m. Saturday, said Fire Chief Pat Mahoney.

The first firefighters arriving on scene knew immediately that the house was lost.

"The first arriving units described the fire as fully involved with 70 per cent of the flames through the roof and doors and everything," Mahoney said. "It was strictly a defensive operation."

Crews from Namao, Morinville and Bon Accord were on scene at the subdivision, just north of St. Albert, until 6 a.m. Sunday, Mahoney said. The firefighting efforts involved a total of 25 members..

The cause of the fire is not known and might never be, Mahoney said.

"There's not much left to work with. From my point of view, the cause will be undetermined," he said.

Tipping said he and his family are now looking for a place to rent. The house was insured and they will rebuild, he said.

Tipping returned to what was left of the home on Tuesday. Sifting through the ashes, he was able to find some momentoes from his grandparents – a cast-iron cricket boot from his grandfather and a spoon belonging to his grandmother.