North Bay Fire Department crews battling a house fire on Metcalfe Street on Wednesday night.
The call went out shortly before 7:15 pm. for an investigation on the 1100block of Metcalfe.
Deputy Chief Greg Saunders says the home was unoccupied at the time of the fire and a neighbour contacted the NBFD.
Saunders says no people were injured but upon entering the home three dogs were found deceased.
Saunders adds that the fire department did not know the house was unoccupied when it arrived.
“Our priority when we arrived is rescue, so before we even get to the point of fighting the fire, we want to make sure we get everyone to safety and out of the home,” says Saunders. That is when they found the animals passed away.
All three fire stations responded to the blaze. As of 8:00 pm Saunders says, “We don’t have the fire under control, these old homes they (present) a struggle to get ahead of the fire. We will be here a long time tonight,” says Saunders.
There was plenty of smoke at 8 pm but no flames were visible.
“They are in the walls,” says Saunders when asked about the flames. “The term we use is overhaul, when most of the flame is knocked down we (then) go in and rip apart walls because fire extends everywhere, it gets in the walls and gets up in the ceiling. We are tearing apart walls outside and inside to try to get ahead of the fire.
The North Bay Deputy Fire Chief said on Wednesday night it was far too early to determine the cause, starting point and the damage connected to the blaze.