A late Saturday evening fire that caused heavy damage to a bungalow on Woito Station Road in North Algona Wilberforce (NAW) Township is being investigated by the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office (OFM).
Fire Chief Kevin Champ said the department was dispatched to a structure fire at 11:09 p.m. and upon arrival they encountered a large amount of fire on the back of the building. The fire had breached the exterior wall of the structure when they arrived.
“Firfefighters initiated an aggressive interior attack,” he said, adding the fire was on the main floor of the bungalow.
He reported extensive damage to the interior of the structure. The department shuttled water to the site from a dry hydrant on Green Lake Road and approximately 3,500 gallons were used.
Most of the personnel were released around 4 a.m., but others remained behind to secure the scene and were still at the address on Monday as the investigation into the cause of the fire continued.
“There was no one home; the occupants were out,” Chief Champ said.
“An investigator from the Fire Marshall’s Office is here,” he added. “He is going through his routine trying to do origin and cause determination.”
Chief Champ said the preliminary investigation showed evidence of a possible explosion and that falls into the criteria where the department notifies the FMO to get involved.
“There was no exposure threatened and the conditions were calm and clear Saturday night,” he said.
Ontario Provincial Police and County of Renfrew paramedics were on scene, but no one required treatment.
Chief Champ said the property was insured.
Both the Rankin and Golden Lake Stations responded with 20 personnel, three pumpers, two tankers and a rescue unit.