The Maple Ridge fire department had to deal with two fires in less than 12 hours Monday.
Firefighters remained on scene at the second, a house located at 23793 – 123rd Avenue, late into the afternoon.
When they first arrived, just before 11 a.m., two occupants – an adult male and female youth – were outside and suffering from smoke inhalation.
Maple Ridge assistant fire chief Howard Exner said crews had to treat them first, before tending to the fire.
Both were taken to hospital.
By late afternoon, firefighters were still unable to enter the building because it was so extensively damaged by fire, Exner added.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
The cause of a fire at a shop in the 11600-block of Fraser Street in Maple Ridge is also unknown.
Firefighters were called about the fire just after 2 a.m.
They couldn't enter the building initially because of the way the building was constructed, to be secure, with limited doors and windows.
They were able to put out the fire, but not before it destroyed most of the building, including the roof.
"Probably the building is totalled," Exner said.
