Blaze guts home in Kitchener
Posted Jan 22, 2012 09:35:13 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Fire crews were called to a home at 247 Southwood Drive in Kitchener this morning (Sunday) at 4:30.
Platoon Chief Kevin Karley told 570 News the fire started in the basement and moved up to the attic.
“The house was under some form of renovation, so there was quite a fire load in the basement, which contributed to the extent of the damage.”
He said five people were inside the home at the time, “one person living in the basement, apparently he was the owner of the house, he was injured and taken to hospital and then there was another four people that were living upstairs.”
The extent of the injuries to the man, Karley said, were burns to his hands.
An early damage estimate sat at $250, 000, which has since been revised up to $350, 000, “the house is definitely gutted, there will be extensive repairs required” said Karley, adding that there will have to be an assessment done “by the building department to find out the state of the condition of the structure.”
The cause of the fire has been determined to be a lit candle.
A fire escape plan is of the up-most importance, Karley said “make sure you can get out of the house in the event of a fire, and to make sure in these winter months to keep candles and heaters away from combustibles and well contained.”
“Make sure everything is put out before you go to bed.”
