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THUNDER BAY – An Oliver Paipoonge family escaped unharmed after an early morning fire caused major damage to their home Thursday.
Firefighters with Oliver Paipoonge Fire and Emergency Services were called around 4:30 a.m. to a garage fire at a residence on Highway 17, just west of the intersection with Highway 130 and Vibert Road.
A carport next to the home was fully involved and fire was extending to the house when firefighters arrived, said fire chief Sean Horan.
A family was home at the time along with pets. They had left the home and were receiving help from a passerby when responders arrived.
The fire damaged several bedrooms and extended into the roof of the home before responders managed to bring it under control by around 7 a.m. Several sections of the home suffered smoke and water damage.
The response included three pumpers, two tankers, and two rescue vehicles.
Temperatures ranging to -35 C made for challenging firefighting circumstances, Horan said.
An online fundraiser for the family had attracted nearly $5,000 early Thursday evening.
The fire remains under investigation, Horan said, with the Ontario Fire Marshal not expected to be involved.
