Firefighters from St. Clair Township rescued two cats Sunday evening from a house fire on the St. Clair Parkway that is believed to have been caused by an unattended candle.
One person was at home at the time of the blaze but was able to escape without injuries, fire Chief Richard Boyes said.
The department posted on its Facebook site that firefighters were able to save two cats from the home.
“We believe it was an unattended candle that was the cause,” Boyes said.
There was extensive damage, estimated at $250,000, to the single-storey house located south of Corunna and north of Rokeby Line, he said.
There was “severe” fire damage in the living room, and smoke and heat damage to other parts of the home, Boyes said.
“There was one occupant in the base but he heard the smoke alarm and got out.”
The call came in at about 6:20 pm and three township fire halls responded.
Firefighters where at the scene until about 12:30 am
“The crews did a phenomenal job of the initial knock-down and search and rescue to make sure that there was nobody in the house,” Boyes said.
“The house is being secured and turned over to the insurance company.”
“St. Clair Fire would like to remind everyone that working smoke alarms can help save lives,” the department said in a statement.
“Ontario law requires that working smoke alarms be installed on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas. In addition to smoke alarms, developing and practicing a home fire escape plan is your best chance of surviving a fire in your home.”