Updated Firefighters quick response saves home, owners charged

Update: Wed, 9 p.m.

" The fire started in the rear of the home and had extended into the attic and roof structure by the time firefighting personnel arrived on scene," says Deputy Chief Greg Saunders. "Fire crews were on the scene in three minutes and successfully managed to extinguish the fire very quickly."

The three tenants in the home were alerted to the fire by a neighbour and were able to successfully escape without incident. 

The home has suffered significant damage and significant repairs will need to happen before the tenants can move back into their home. 

Early indications are that careless cooking may have been the cause of the fire. 

If you have a bbq please ensure that you maintain sufficient clearance from your home.  The owner is being charged with failure to properly maintain working smoke alarms.

"Fires grow exponentially… every minute counts," explains Saunders. "The earlier that firefighting personnel are alerted to a fire the earlier that we are able to be on scene.  Whether someone is in need of rescue or if we simply need to extinguish a fire we are more effective at managing an incident when we are able to have a timely response. 

"The earlier we get there the better the chance for a positive outcome.  This is why properly located, properly maintained smoke alarms are so important.  A smoke alarm can save your life."

Original story:

North Bay Firefighters quick response helped stop a fire to the exterior of a home on Third Avenue East at 5:30 Tuesday evening.  

Greg Saunders, Deputy Fire Chief, says there were three occupants home at the time of the fire, and no one was injured. 

"It was confined at the exterior of the home, everybody got out of the home safely," Saunders told BayToday at the scene.  

"Our firefighters did a great job, they really knocked down the fire limiting the damage."

Saunders could not give an estimate of the damage.  

No word on a cause yet as North Bay Fire Prevention will be at the scene on Wednesday to continue the investigation.   

Saunders also reminds homeowners that now is the time to check their current smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  

On another note our firefighters would like to thank Alex Knecht and the Cooperators on Airport Road who donated enough face shields for each of our firefighters.  Now we can be better protected as we continue to serve our community.