Shelburne and District Fire, Orangeville Fire, and Mulmur/Melancthon Fire Crews were called to what’s being called a fairly aggressive fire Thursday morning May 14 in Horning’s Mills.
Two people had escaped before firefighters arrived, and firefighters were able to get in and save three pets.
Fire Chief Brad Lemaich says a smoke alarm alerted them to the fire and that is how they got out – saving their lives.
Lemaich says unfortunately there is likely nothing that can be salvaged and the Red Cross has been contacted to provide help.
Due to the age of the structure and numerous renovations and additions over the years made it tricky for firefighters to put out the flames.
The fire is not believed to be suspicious, but an investigation is underway and there is no damage estimate yet.
Lemaich said in this incident, smoke alarms were key with saving lives and alerting the occupants quickly to the fire.
The Fire Chief says in a recent survey performed in a Shelburne neighbourhood, they found that 42% of the homes they visited did not meet the fire code standards for smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms.