Damage is estimated at around $1 million after a house at 225 Hartson Pl. was gutted by fire.
Nine units from the London Fire Department were called to the scene at around 4:40 p.m on Saturday (May 26). The homeowners made it out of the house safety with smoke detectors in the basement and main floor level sounding the alarm.
Minor fire extended through walls to attic where the blaze was well developed prior to fire crews arriving. Fire flashed over in the attic area above the garage and quickly extended to the rest of the house, prompting the evacuation of one fire crew that was inside the house. Firefighters were directed to stay clear of the collapse zones surrounding the house.
The Fire Marshall Office was called but it’s not sure whether its representative will be able to get into the house due to the heavy structural damage. The home will have to be rebuilt.
The cause of the fire is believed to be the electrical wiring and conduit directly above the electrical panel. The homeowners reported they were in the midst of renovations.
———
The second blaze happened at 474 Queens Ave. at around 7:40 p.m.
The cause of this fire is being blamed on a defective fireplace, which was destroyed in the blaze along with the interior walls on three levels on the west side that were opened as eight fire crews checked to see if the fire had spread. Smoke damage throughout the entire house was also reported.
There were no injuries and damage is pegged at around $100,000.
