From the Penhold Fire Department:

The cause and origin of the fire in Penhold last week has been determined as the use of an unapproved alternative heating source installed at the time the house was constructed, consisting of radiant ceiling heating panels.

The damage of the February 14 fire is estimated at around $60000.

The Penhold Fire Department would like to warn against using Radiant Ceiling Heating Panels installed in buildings prior to 1995.

In some provinces in the early 1990s disconnect orders were issued for:

  • All Aztec-Flexel panels rated 22 watts per square foot
  • All Thermaflex panels rated 22 watts per square foot
  • All Flexwatt panels type R17C20H240 rated 20 watts per square foot

Penhold Fire Chief Jim Pendergast strongly urges owners of buildings with these panels installed prior to 1995 to immediately stop using them and have them disconnected from their power source.

They were unapproved for use in Canada at that time.