A Midland family literally doesn't have a roof over their heads after a fire in their home yesterday was finally extinguished by removing the home's roof.
The Midland Fire Department responded to a call at 170 George St. at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, where a fire raged on the main floor of the two-storey detached home.
"Fire crews entered the home and were met with high heat, thick smoke, and flames on the main floor. Fire had extended into the attic area due to balloon frame construction," Chief Richard Renaud stated in an email.
An excavator had to be called in to assist with fighting the fire in the attic area, he explained.
"Once the roof was removed, crews were able to gain control of the fire," said Renaud.
The home is a total loss. There were no injuries either to the family members or firefighters.
"The fire cause is undetermined but appears to have started in the kitchen area. The homeowner was home at the time of the fire. He attempted to extinguish the fire then self-evacuated," said Renaud.
Crews from Midland, Penetanguishene and Tay responded to the scene. The OPP and Simcoe County paramedics also responded and assisted. A second fire crew from Tay covered Midland and a crew from Tiny covered Penetanguishene during this incident.
The Ontario Fire Marshal was notified but will not be attending, said Renaud.
All fire crews cleared the scene at approximately 7 p.m. when the home was released to the property owner.
A friend of the family, Crystal King, published a Facebook post saying the family lost everything in the fire saying, "this is a heartbreaking tragedy."
She says the house was home to a family of six - including four kids. She said an adult also lived in an in-law suite attached to the house.
The family's first need is clothing for the girls, size 5 and 7, and boys, size 14, and men's medium. People can contact King, Erin Sheppard or Emmalea Howell (through Facebook) to arrange drop-offs or pickups
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family.
Renaud reminds everyone of the importance of having working smoke alarms in homes.
