The Fort Frances Fire & Rescue Service responded to the report of a house fire on the 1200 block of Colonization Road West around 1:20 p.m. on Friday.
Upon arrival, firefighters observed heavy smoke billowing from the windows of the home’s south side.
No one was home at the time of the fire, with the first notice of the incident being from a neighbour who heard the smoke alarm sounding.
Damage to the home was extensive, with firefighters remaining on the scene for about three hours.
The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental.
The Fort Frances Fire & Rescue Service would like to remind residents of the importance to take a few minutes to check their homes for possible fire hazards and ensure smoke alarms are working.
In other news, the public should be aware that if they see smoke in the sky this week, it’s probably because the Fort Frances Fire & Rescue Service is starting prescribed burning in various parts of town.
Firefighters started today by burning dry grass north of Williams Avenue, near the Lakeview Trailer Court, as well as near Riverview Cemetery.
A crew also is expected to have a controlled burn between Sixth and Eighth Street in the northwest part of town.
Called “preventative maintenance burning,” the fire department burns dry materials and dead grass around town each spring to prevent what could become uncontrollable wildfires around some residential properties.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
