The Grey Highlands fire chief is crediting a working smoke alarm after a man escaped a house fire on Sunday, Jan. 28.
The Grey Highlands fire chief is crediting a working smoke alarm after a man escaped a house fire on Sunday, Jan. 28.
Flames were visible from the basement area when crews responded to the scene.
The call came in about 4 a.m. to the residence on Grey Road 13 in Eugenia. The 911 caller stated that he had left the home
“This is another case where a working smoke alarm saved lives, Fire Chief Marty Wellwood told The Advance.
The occupant was asleep at the time of the fire and was woken by a smoke alarm and was able to exit the building.
The fire was brought under control within an hour, the chief said, and crews remained in scene dealing with hot spots.
The resident was taken to Markdale Hospital suffering from minor smoke inhalation and was released.
Part of the main floor collapsed from fire damage, and the house will probably be deemed a complete loss, with damage estimated to be $500,000, the chief said.
About 35 firefighters from both the Flesherton and Markdale stations were on scene. A tanker from Dundalk Fire was on scene to assist with water supply.
Grey Bruce OPP and Grey County Emergency Services were also on scene.
“Grey Highlands Fire cannot stress enough the importance of working smoke alarms in a home,” Chief Wellwood said in an email to the paper.
“There were 121 fire fatalities in Ontario in 2023. Everyone needs to do their part to bring this number down.”
“Talk to your family, talk to your friends and neighbours, fire safety is an easy investment that might save your life.”
The cause of the fire is deemed not suspicious pending further investigation.