A camper trailer unexpectedly caught fire at a residence near Friedensfeld early Wednesday afternoon.

At 1:30 PM, Steinbach fire crews were dispatched to a property along Highway 303 after a resident noticed smoke coming from their trailer. 

Deputy Fire Chief Ron Chausse says the fire was likely electrical in nature as it originated near the compressor and the refrigerator. He notes that this kind of fire is extremely uncommon.

“I can count on one hand the trailer fires we’ve been to in the past 25 years.”

Due to the nature of the event, firefighters had to tear apart the trailer to get at the smoldering insulation. Though they were quickly able to extinguish the flames the camper itself will likely be totaled.

Firefighters were forced to tear open the trailer to get at the smoldering interior.