Rainy River home destroyed by fire

Rainy River volunteer firefighters were called out Sunday evening to battle a blaze at a home at 506 Atwood Ave. there.
But when about 10 firefighters arrived on the scene around 7 p.m., they found the home of Bill and Gayleen Szlauko already was being consumed by flames.
“The house was about 30 years old–[the fire] was spreading quickly,” acting fire chief Stuart McNally said.
Because of the rapid spread of the fire within the small house, firefighters had trouble trying to contain the blaze and had to call upon the Baudette fire department for help.
“We called Baudette and they came over with their 10,000-gallon tanker,” said McNally, adding up to 20 firefighters were fighting the blaze at one time.
Firefighters battled the fire until around midnight when they were certain it was out. But McNally said the remains were still smouldering on Monday morning and traces of smoke were visible Tuesday.
“There’s one-and-a-half walls left standing,” he added.
McNally said the fire is believed to have started in the kitchen while the Szlaukos were out of town. It initially spread to the attached garage and then to the attic, quickly getting out of control.
No injuries were reported, and no damage estimate was available.