An Oro-Medonte home has been destroyed after a fire broke out on Friday night.
Firefighters with the Oro-Medonte Fire Department were called to a home on Line 4 North, around 8 p.m. for a fire in an attached garage.
However, the fire quickly spread to the home. The four people who were inside were able to escape; one person was sent to hospital with minor cuts.
"The garage was completely engulfed and the flames were starting to lick across under the eaves, it was shooting up quite high," says neighbour Melissa Spicer.
The homeowner, who didn’t wish to be identified, says he couldn’t believe how fast his entire garage went up in flames. Strong winds made fighting the fire a challenge, as blowing smoke made it difficult for firefighters to see.
"Very difficult for our trucks to back up, and get to the water tanks that we had set up on the road,” says John Wigle, fire prevention officer with the Oro-Mendonte Fire Department.
The house, valued at around $300,000 suffered severe fire and water damage. Crews have determined the fire broke out in the garage
"There’s a wood stove in the garage itself. When they went to light the fire, flames extended out from the wood stove itself and caught some flammable combustible liquids that were in the garage on fire," says Wigle.
The building is a total loss, but the homeowner says he has insurance and hopes to rebuild.
