A century old home was destroyed by fire east of Grafton on March 28, 2019.
At approximately 3 p.m. Alnwick/Haldimand Township Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Thomas Road east of Grafton.
When crews arrived on scene the rear of the home was engulfed in flames and the fire had spread to the main part of the two-storey home.
Assistance was called for other departments including, Cramahe Township, Brighton Township and Hamilton Township.
Neighbour Stephen Dingman was first to spot the fire while he was watching tv with his mother.
“I happened to look out and saw smoke coming out the front part of the house of the roof.”
“When I came outside there was smoke coming out around the chimney and flames.”
After calling 9-1-1 Dingman went to check if the homeowner was there, but it was later determined he went to a family function in Peterborough.
Dingman said almost one year prior (March 23, 2018) a barn went up in flames on the property and spread to the field. There was also a van fire in July.
The home has been in the same family for over 50 years.
A dog escaped the blaze and was standing on Dingman’s deck when he went outside.
“By the time I got over there the back part of the house was up in flames.”
Fire crews arrived quickly, but the fire had spread into the main part of the home and into the roof area. Flames were coming out from both the main floor and second floor windows.
With the age of the house being approximately 100 years old, Alnwick/Haldimand Fire Chief Mark Diminie said the timber would be very dry.
“We had a very fast moving fire in the early stages.”
“Because of the extent of the fire early on and the heavy involvement of the interior of the house we weren’t able to go offensive, so we went right to a defensive attack.”
The home had a steel roof which also complicated fire suppression efforts.
A large excavator was brought in because the home was deemed to unsafe to enter to extinguish the flames on the second floor and roof area.
“The fire got into the attic and with the structure having a metal roof all the rafters and support on the second floor had burned away because of the metal roof holding the fire in.”
“We noticed that the exterior walls started to wobble in the wind and we still have heavy fire involvement. It was just to dangerous to send firefighters in.”
With three suspicious fires happening in less than two weeks, Diminie doesn’t believe this is related.
“I’m not feeling they are connected in any way. This one is still under investigation so I can’t really comment if it is suspicious or accidental.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
