Fire crews are still busy at the scene of an overnight fire.
Around 10:40 p.m. last night (Sept. 11), the Timmins Fire Department was called to a fully involved residential garage on Floral Avenue.
While there was an explosion after the blaze started, deputy fire chief Scott Atkinson said it was not the cause of the fire.
“They’re oxy-acetylene tanks for cutting metal … that were inside of the garage. With the heat that’s why they exploded,” he said.
Four houses in total are damaged. Atkinson said there were no injuries.
The house that the fire started in is demolished. The houses on the east and west side are extensions of the fire, with it getting into the attics. The heat from the fire also damaged the back of a Vimy Avenue house.
This morning, crews were still working on the fire in neighbouring house to the west, where smoke was still coming from the attic.
“There’s still some stubbornness in the one house in the attic that has a little bit of issue with, we’ll get it done,” he said.
Crews from the main Timmins Fire Department responded to the call along with volunteer firefighters from Schumacher, Timmins and Mountjoy. In total, Atkinson said there were about 30 firefighters at the scene.
The investigation will start soon and will be in conjunction with the Timmins Police. Atkinson has also been in contact with Ontario Fire Marshal's Office and will stay in touch with them as they work through the investigation.
With crews still working at the scene, people are asked to avoid Floral Avenue between Waterloo and McLean.
