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Fire crews responded to a structure fire at an abandoned house yesterday evening (Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNewsToday)

Fire at abandoned house deemed suspicious

Dec 11, 2021 | 12:45 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- The Medicine Hat Fire Service was called out to a fire in the 700 block of 2nd Street SE yesterday evening

Fire Chief Brian Stauth said crews received the call at around 6:30 p.m. for a fire in an abandoned house. The fire started in a detached garage on the property.

” There had been some squatters inside the structure. Our fire investigators are working with police investigators and deemed the fire suspicious. So anytime we get into that kind of investigation we work with MHPS,” Stauth said.

Stuath added that crews put the fire out quickly.

He also disputed claims made by a local internet blogger who stated that he was assaulted by a firefighter while filming the fire.

“I’m aware of it, and I would disagree with his assessment of assault. I would simply say that we would ask any media personnel or anybody that is in the vicinity of an active fire scene to please respect our fire officers, stay back and give us room to work,” he said.