Two people were injured in a $600,000 house fire in Simcoe on Thursday afternoon.
Norfolk fire crews responded to the scene at 42 Oak Street at about 5:20 pm
A smoke alarm alerted the occupants to the fire in the back room of the home.
“Upon arrival firefighters located a quickly developing fire at the rear of the home that was spreading to the attic space,” said Cory Armstrong-Smith, Norfolk fire prevention officer, said in a release. “The open concept aspects of the home allowed for rapid fire spread and much of the home suffered significant damage before the flames were brought under control.”
The two occupants in the home suffered minor injuries and smoke inhalation, Armstrong-Smith said. One was transported to hospital by paramedics while the other was taken by family for observation.
The status of their injuries is not immediately known.
Total loss for the fire is estimated at $600,000, Armstrong-Smith said, adding the homeowners were insured.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by county fire officials.
Armstrong-Smith stressed the important of exiting a structure as soon as an alarm goes off.
“When your smoke alarm activates it’s time to get out and stay out,” he said. “Never delay your exit from an emergency situation or go back in after you’ve made it to safety.”
