The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office is looking for the cause of an Orangeville townhouse fire that sent two people to hospital.
Large flames lit up the early morning sky on Second Street, near Fourth Avenue as fire spread through the building at around 5:30 a.m. on Friday.
“Flames were exiting from the home at the front door and upper windows. They were able to set up a defensive attack,” says Dwight Van Alstine, Orangeville fire prevention officer.
Several units were evacuated. One resident suffered smoke inhalation and one firefighter suffered non-life threatening injuries. The firefighter has since been released.
“The fire appears to have developed on the main floor living room area of the house at the back,” says Dave Emberlin, an investigator with the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office.
The unit where the fire started was consumed by flames. OFM investigators believe the fire then spread into two more units. Damage is estimated at $650,000.
The Red Cross has been called in to help residents.
Fire crews from Caledon, Grand Valley and Shelburne were called in to help Orangeville knock the fire out.
The OFM is expected to be on scene for the next few days, as they search for the cause.
