There were no injuries but damage was extensive at a house fire at 132 Oakwood Ave. around 9 a.m. Saturday. (see photo gallery)
Deputy Fire Chief Greg Saunders told BayToday at the scene that two young boys and their parents escaped the blaze along with a dog and a cat.
Saunders says an "aggressive attack" by firefighters had the blaze out in about 15 minutes.
"We're pretty good at what we do and this is another example," he said while surveying the scene.
"It takes an aggressive attack to stop that amount of flame that quickly."
Saunders says the likely cause is the careless use of a lighter.
"Our priority is rescue," Saunders said. "We do a primary search to make sure no-one is inside.
He also noted the fire trucks carry resuscitation equipment for pets as well as people.
"We can put an oxygen mask on a cat or dog he explained.
The fire was hot enough to melt the plastic siding on a neighbouring house.