It is not often that the exterior wall of a house suddenly ignites yet Steinbach’s Assistant Fire Chief says that is exactly what happened at a residence along Hanover Street this afternoon.

Shortly before 4 PM, Russ Reimer and his crews were called to a possible structure fire. When they arrived, he says the building’s outer wall was on fire.

“It was unusual,” comments Reimer. “I personally haven’t seen this very often.”

As the fire had not originated inside the house, Reimer says his firefighters were able to extinguish it in a matter of minutes.

“Our guys were quick to put water on it, pulled off some of the siding, ensured there was no extension into the attic, and it was out,” he states.

Strange though it was, Reimer says the cause was nothing abnormal. “There was an electrical cord plugged in there and we are assuming something must have just shorted out in the wiring, created some heat behind there, and lighting the wall on fire.”

Reimer says the home sustained only minor damage and the folks who live there will be able to go about their evening routine as planned.