A space heater left unattended in an otherwise empty home could be the culprit in a structure fire that caused significant damage to a Howey Drive home on Sunday.
Greater Sudbury Fire Services were dispatched to the home, a two-storey, single-family dwelling located on the block between Wessex and Summerset streets, at around 12:42 p.m. on March 30.
Nobody was home at the time of the fire.
Four units and 16 firefighters battled the blaze from the noon hour until around 5 p.m.
Deputy Fire Chief Jesse Oshell said the fire caused “significant” smoke and flame damage in the home, particularly in the attic and roof space.
He said it appears a space heater left operating unattended near some combustible material is the likely cause of the fire.
Oshell said it is wise to never leave space heaters operating unattended, nor should combustible material be near the heating source. Always use the devices according to the manufacturer’s instructions.