Pipe-thawing attempt sparked fire

A house on the 600 block of Church Street caught fire Monday afternoon after the owner earlier had used a blowtorch to thaw a frozen water pipe.
Fort Frances Fire Chief Steve Richardson said firefighters responded to a call made by a passer-by at 3:23 p.m. to find the blaze—which began in the crawlspace at 616 Church St.—already had spread upward and became visible through the windows and the roof.
“The fire extended up the wall into the attic. We had a difficult time extinguishing it,” said Chief Richardson. “There was a concern with both the weakened floor and the roof above us.”
A total of 22 firefighters—both full-time and volunteer—battled the blaze until about 6:30 p.m.
While the fire did not consume the house, it did burn a significant portion of its west side and smoke damage was severe, said Chief Richardson.
“We estimate $75,000 in damages, although we’re still working that out with the insurance company,” he noted.
When asked if the house could be repaired and lived in again, he replied, “I’m no contractor, but I would say ‘no.’”
The fire was deemed accidental and the homeowner was not charged with any offence. No one was home at the time the blaze was reported.
But Chief Richardson said there is a message here.
“If someone has a frozen pipe, call a professional, call a plumber,” he stressed, noting such accidents are all too common in the winter.
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)