Wainfleet couple escapes morning blaze
A Wainfleet couple suffered minor smoke inhalation after escaping a house fire Friday morning, said Wainfleet Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Chief Shawn Schutten.
“They were assessed by (Niagara) Emergency Medical Services paramedics and were not transported to hospital,” said Schutten, adding the pair took shelter in a neighbour’s home across the street from theirs.
He said Wainfleet volunteer firefighters were called shortly before 1 a.m. Friday for the report of a fire in a garage at 10583 Lakeshore Road, east of Quarry Road.
When firefighters arrived on scene of the A-frame home — on the Lake Erie side of Lakeshore — the garage was fully involved.
“Soon after, the fire encroached into the upper floors. We started off with a defensive attack,” said Schutten, adding firefighters worked to protect two neighbouring homes.
Both of those homes suffered heat damage from the blaze and siding on each was melted from the intense heat. Schutten said Wainfleet called on mutual aid in the form of a tanker truck from Port Colborne Fire and Emergency Services and a tanker truck and manpower from Haldimand Fire Department.
“We were able to draw water from the quarry and also a water supply set up at a hydrant in Port Colborne.”
The deputy chief said he, Fire Chief Morgan Alcock and the volunteer firefighters were on scene until 8 a.m.
Firefighters were called back shortly after 2 p.m. Friday as smoke poured from the charred remains of the home and put out hot spots, clearing from the scene after 4 p.m.
“We don’t have a cause and the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office will not be called in,” said Schutten, adding he didn’t have a dollar figure on the damage. “The house isn’t standing anymore.”