Three people got out safely after their home caught fire Thursday night south east of Creemore.

It happened around 11:30 p.m. on County Road 42 – south of Avening. Fire officials say a passerby noticed flames coming outside of the house, knocked on the door, and got a dad and his two kids out safely.

The dad then tried to put out the fire with an extinguisher before fire crews arrived on scene. Fire crews were able to contain the fire to one side of the home.

Clearview Fire Acting Fire Chief Colin Shewell tells CTV News the fire is believed to have started in the fireplace/chimney area of the home. Damage is estimated at $250,000 but the fire is not considered suspicious.

Clearview Fire had to rotate their crew of 25 people and 8 trucks from their five stations due to the cold. They were also forced to bring in water since there were no hydrants in the area.

Shewell says this is the third fireplace/chimney fire they have had to respond to since December 23, 2013.