Ontario Fire Marshal will investigate house fire on Stirling Avenue

Fire crews responded to a Kitchener neighbourhood on Tuesday afternoon to battle a house fire, which will be investigated by the Ontario Fire Marshal.

The residential fire on Stirling Avenue was first reported around 4 p.m. and it led to a road closure between Lorne Avenue and Highland Road.

Kitchener Fire Chief Bob Gilmore said the impacted residence was a single-family home and everyone got out safely.

Photos showed billowing smoke and Gilmore described the fire as being active and fully-involved when crews arrived.

A Grand River Transit bus was dispatched to the scene to help keep everyone warm.

Both Waterloo Regional Police and the Kitchener Fire Department asked people to avoid the area and find an alternate route as the fire response continued.

On Wednesday morning, officials with the City of Kitchener’s Building Division attended the site to assess structural issues.

Damage is estimated at $750,000 and it’s so extensive, the impacted family is not allowed to return inside at this time.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined and the OFM’s investigation could start as early as Thursday