An elderly couple could only stand by and watch as firefighters fought in vain to save their house from going up in flames early Wednesday morning.
Cobourg firefighters were called to 431 Victoria Street, north of University Avenue at approximately 2:20 a.m. to reports of a structure fire.
When firefighters arrived, a shed was engulfed in flames at the rear of the residence spreading to the home.
Ken and Edna Waldie have resided at the residence for 57-years and were awakened by a neighbour alerting them to the fire just outside their home.
When (Ken) Waldie went to the rear of the home after being awakened, flames were already coming in through the kitchen window.
The couple made it safely outside and stood by while firefighters worked for several hours in an effort to save their home.
Hamilton Township Fire Department were also called to assist Cobourg and be on standby at the Cobourg Firehall in case there was another emergency.
Acting Captain Sorab Bulsara the exterior fire was knocked down quickly, but the fire had got into the structure.
“The kitchen was fully involved and the fire made its way through an attic vent.”
“It’s an older home with lots of renovations and lots of layers which hindered our suppression tactics.”
At one time there were numerous crews inside the home trying to extinguish the fire that had got into the walls, ceiling and attic.
“We had crews in and they made their way into the attic to hit it, but there were three or four layers of ceiling material so trying to break through that just to get access was almost impossible.”
“We just kept working at it. The firefighters worked really hard trying to get at the fire.”
An excavator was brought in to remove parts of the steel roof to try and better gain access to the fire.
“Unfortunately with these older home and the renovations over the years – there is lots of voids and lots of layers and it really held the fire within the structure and it didn’t allow us to gain any access.”
The home was a total loss, but firefighters managed to salvage a few items.
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
