A home on the city’s south-side was gutted in an overnight house fire.
The residence was located on Bethune Street between McKenzie and May.
Thunder Bay Fire Rescue says crews were called to the structural fire around 11 pm and when they saw smoke from blocks away they realized even before they arrived a second alarm was needed. The problem, according to officials, is that firefighters were “hampered by the older age” of the home and how it was constructed.
They suggest “personal belongings” in the house were making access to the residence difficult and affecting the “progress” of the fire when they first arrived. 22 firefighters worked through the night until the blaze was under control.
Acting Platoon Chief John Russak told our newsroom it started in the basement but it’s too early to pinpoint the cause.
He adds fire fighters are cautiously working through the remains because some parts were still smoldering, and the construction of the house added to their task.
