The Ontario Fire Marshall’s office has been called in to investigate a fire that sent two people to hospital in Campbellford on Sunday, October 20, 2019.
Trent Hills Fire Chief Tim Blake said the fire department was notified of the fire by a off-duty firefighter at 11:49 a.m. to a possible structure fire at the north east corner of Centre and Cockburn Streets.
Firefighters were notified before they arrived on scene that smoke and flames were visible and there was the possibility of a person trapped inside the single storey residence.
“Fire crews arrived on scene and there was flames visible from the porch area and probably half of the structure. Firefighters entered the dwelling and brought a male patient out.”
The elderly male victim was breathing and quickly transported to Campbellford Hospital by Northumberland County Paramedics along with a elderly female victim who managed to escape the blaze.
Blake said elderly man was located just inside the front door and was brought out extremely quickly by firefighters.
After the rescue, firefighters contained the fire quickly, but the home suffered major damage.
“The main fire damage was to the porch, but it extended into the house and into the attic area.”
The house was equipped with smoke alarms, and part of the investigation will determine if they were working at the time.
Investigators with the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office have been called in to help determine the cause of the fire.
Damage is estimated at over $300,000 to the house and vehicle that was also damaged by the fire.