An abandoned farmhouse was destroyed by fire in the Municipality of Port Hope on Monday, September 4, 2023.
Shortly before 5:30 p.m. all three stations of Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services were dispatched to an abandoned farmhouse on Hawkins Road just south of Dale Road (north of Port Hope).
Reports indicated there was billowing smoke coming from the two-storey home.
When crews arrived on scene, a workshop attached to the house on the eastside was engulfed in flames and quickly spreading to the house.
The fire quickly spread into the house and firefighters did a defensive attack (not going into the building) to try and extinguish the fire.
Hamilton Township Fire Department was also called to help shuttle water to the fire from tanker trucks.
A large piece of construction machinery was brought in to tear the former home apart so firefighters could gain access to the flames.
By 11 p.m. firefighters were still on scene extinguishing the fire and hot spots.
Fire Chief Jeff Ogden said the fire has been deemed suspicious and the Office of the Fire Marshal was contacted but would not be attending.
Ogden said they don’t believe anyone was inside the residence, but will be doing further investigation to confirm.
Dale Road in the area of the fire was closed for several hours due to a number of fire apparatus on scene.