Thursday morning fire heavily damages Lakeshore home; two sent to hospital

A fire in a single-family home in the 500-block of Lakeshore Drive just after 8 this morning is causing major traffic disruption on the south end of Lakeshore Drive. Motorists are urged to avoid the area as traffic was being diverted so the operation could continue safely. 

North Bay fire crews responded and knocked the fire down quickly, said Deputy Fire Chief Greg Saunders from the scene Thursday morning.

Working with reports that people were trapped inside, firefighters entered and located the occupants of the home. Two were taken to the hospital with smoke inhalation. The other two people inside made it to safety with no other injuries were reported.

Unfortunately, Saunders shared, although two cats were rescued, it's likely several of the occupants' pets perished in the fire which spread quickly and emanated thick black smoke from the small home on the west side of Lakeshore Drive.

"It was a significant structure fire with significant smoke and flame when we arrived," he adds. The next step is to "go through an overall process to make sure the fire is completely extinguished."

Victims Services is at the scene supporting the residents as the home will not be habitable for some time. The investigation continues as no cause of the fire has been determined nor have damages been estimated.