The North Bay Fire Department still does not have the cause from Monday’s house/garage fire that destroyed a garage along Peninsula road off Trout Lake yesterday afternoon.
See related: Peninsula Road garage burns to the ground
“We were not able to identify a cause with certainty,” stated Deputy Fire Chief Greg Saunders, who was at the scene on Monday.
“I’m afraid that the cause will go down as undetermined.”
The blaze was called in around 4:15 p.m. but the long drive out to the Trout Lake residence took nearly 15 minutes.
“The fire started in the attached garage,” said Saunders.
“By the time fire crews arrived on scene the garage was totally engulfed in flame.”
No estimate yet as to the extent of the damage or if the home itself will need to be rebuilt.
“Once the insurance company does their appraisal they will let us know,” said Saunders.
The good news, the family was able to get out of the home safely with their pets and most of their important belongings.
“The owner informed firefighting personnel that everyone in the home was safe but that there were two bottles of really good scotch that he would appreciate being saved,” said Saunders.
“Fire crews worked tirelessly and were able to successfully stop the fire from spreading to the rest of the home. Although the home suffered significant damage stopping the fire meant that the families possessions and memories were able to be saved… including the scotch,” added Saunders.
Saunders says the owners had insurance and the house and garage will be rebuilt.
