An investigation is underway in Tavistock, Ont. after a fire broke out at a home late Tuesday night.
Ontario Provincial Police said a total of nine fire trucks from Tavistock, Hickson and Innerkip were called to the Woodstock Street North property around 10:35 p.m.
One neighbour told CTV News he heard a loud noise, which he described as an explosion, before fire trucks arrived at the scene.
“I heard a bang,” said Tom Zehr. “Then it came over on the front porch. All I saw was this huge flame, as tall as the trees.”
Crews battled the flames until 2 a.m.
Two people who were inside the two-storey home at the time of the fire were taken to a nearby hospital. Police said it was done as a precaution only, and both have since been released.
Fire trucks left the property around 2:30 p.m.
CTV News was still there when, an hour later, heavy smoke was seen coming from the home again. CTV’s Heather Senoran called township who alerted the fire department to come back to Woodstock Street North.
Six trucks returned and firefighters continued to douse the flames. Ladders were brought in to help crews get closer.
The road was blocked off for several hours.
Many neighbours said they were shocked to see the hot spots reigniting.
“I thought it was a second house. That’s why I came out and they said it was the same one,” said Joanne Miller, another neighbour.
She said she heard the commotion for the second round of trucks and joined dozens of other neighbours to see it all unfold.
She said she doesn’t know the residents who live there personally but is happy to hear they are okay.
“It’s crazy. I feel so bad for them. They lost everything,” she said. “I’m pretty sure our community will come together for them.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation but officials said it’s not considered suspicious. They told CTV News they are unable to tell if the smoke alarms were working at the time of the fire due to extensive damage to the home.
The Ontario Fire Marshall’s office said they will not be a part of the investigation.