Update as of 2:30

Firefighters managed to get the upper hand despite a number of challenges posed by a major house fire on Kenmount Road this afternoon that had disasterous potential to spread.

The fire broke out in a home tucked in behind the Mr. Lube Plus Tires on Kenmount Road around 1:00 this afternoon.

Within minutes, the home – which is surrounded by thick woods and close to many businesses – was engulfed in flame.

The structure is a total loss.

St. John’s Regional Fire Department Platoon Chief Mike Hall says the fire presented a number of challenges.

“The concern was that the fire…there was a lot of stored pallets and whatnot behind the building. The concern was that the fire was going to jump into the woods, which it did do.”

“So instantly, we got the hand lines and turret nozzles back into the woods behind the structure. The structure that was on fire initially was a total loss, so we focused our efforts on the woods.”

“One of the big issues we had here was that we had so many trucks taking water from the main line, our pressure was reduced. So, that’s why we had to shut down Kenmount Road, because now we’re gone to the main line on the other side of the road there which gave us a lot more volume.”

Hall says there were no injuries reported, but it appears as though one of the pets inside the building perished in the fire.

Update as of 2:00 p.m.

No injuries have been reported according to the St. John’s Regional Fire Department in a fire that has destroyed a home on Kenmount Road. Platoon Chief Mike Hall says, however, there were pets in the home.

The fire broke out in a home behind the Mr. Lube Plus Tires over the lunch hour and crews remain on the scene ensuring that the fire doesn’t spread to nearby woods or commercial structures.

Kenmount Road is closed between Kelsey Drive and Pippy Place as firefighters respond to the scene. Drivers are being asked to avoid the area and find an alternative route. Expect delays as traffic is backed up on many connecting routes.

Winds are currently blowing from the southwest at 20 km/h with gusts up to 50 km/h.

The Department of Forestry is assessing the situation. One waterbomber is available on the island – located in Gander – while other resources are also on the ready on the island.

Staff at Mr. Lube tell VOCM News that they went to a neighbouring home to make sure everyone there was out.

VOCM News is tracking the story and will have more information as it becomes available.

Update as of 1:30 p.m.

Kenmount Road is closed to traffic in both directions due to a major fire burning just behind the Mr. Lube Plus Tires.

The road is closed between Kelsey Drive and Pippy Place as firefighters respond to the scene.

One house surrounded by woods is engulfed in flame and crews are working to prevent the fire from spreading further.

Winds are currently blowing from the southwest at 20 km/h with gusts up to 50 km/h.

In the meantime, traffic in that area of Kenmount Road is at a standstill.

Drivers are being asked to avoid the area and find an alternative route.

Thick plumes of heavy, black smoke can be seen throughout the capital city.

The Department of Forestry is assessing the situation. One waterbomber is available on the island – located in Gander – while other resources are also on the ready on the island.

Workers alerted residents to fire

Staff at Mr. Lube tell VOCM News that they went to a neighbouring home to make sure everyone there was out, but it’s not clear if the other home was occupied at the time of the fire.

VOCM News is tracking the story and will have more information as it becomes available.

Earlier story

Officials are on the scene of a house fire behind Mr. Lube Plus Tires on Kenmount Road in a busy commercial and residential area.

Firefighters are having difficulty getting access to the home which is engulfed in flame and surrounded by thick woods.

Thick, black smoke is blowing over Kenmount Valley and traffic on Kenmount Road is backed up and moving very slowly.

VOCM News is tracking the story and will have more information as it becomes available.