The South Bruce Peninsula Fire Department put out two fires in separate incidents on the same day.
In a statement from the fire department, on May 9 around 10:46 p.m., both stations of the South Bruce Peninsula Fire Department were dispatched to a fire at a residence on Spry Lake Road in the Oliphant Area.
The fire department says quick action was taken by firefighters living near the residence and suppressed the initial burst of flame of the main section of the structure.
The fire department arrived shortly after and began fighting the blaze with emergency services and OPP remaining on the scene to provide assistance.
The property was turned back over to the owner shortly after 2 a.m.
The fire department says the structure received heavy damage and is thought to be a total loss. The fire was not deemed suspicious in nature and the cause has been determined as a lit barbecue was located too close to combustible material.
Earlier at 4:40 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to a working structure fire of a detached garage on Grey Bruce County Road 10 near Alvanley.
The fire was attended by both the Sauble Beach and Wiarton stations, with assistance from the Tara fire station with two tankers to support water supply efforts. Emergency services and OPP remained on the scene to help during the event.
The road was closed for water supply operations, and later reopened shortly after 7 p.m.
The department says while crews were able to protect the main residence, it did receive minimal heat damage. The two car garage, a car parked close to the detached garage, and a small wooden shed were destroyed by the blaze. No damage estimate has been calculated as of yet.
The fire department says the cause of the fire is undetermined and not deemed suspicious in nature.
The property was turned back over the owner just before 8 p.m.
Fire Chief Tim Wilson says in a statement, “I would like to remind all residents to clean and inspect their barbecues frequently. Keeping an eye on lit barbecues and ensure all combustibles, as well as children and pets, are kept well away from them. Fires can happen when barbecues are left unattended.”