London home blaze originated near fire pit: Investigators
A fire in southwest London has heavily damaged a home and claimed the lives of three family pets.
The blaze at 63 Guildford Crescent began around 2:30 a.m. where firefighters encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear of the property.
Nearby resident Carol Dobbie witnessed the intensity of the smoke as firefighters entered the residence and told CTV News, “The front door of the home, yes, and the smoke started to billow out.”
For a brief time, emergency crews were also searching for one of the two occupants. London Fire Dept. Platoon Chief Colin Shewell told CTV News a resident — who got out safely — initially went back inside.
“A person did go back in to try to retrieve the pet,” Shewell said.
Both occupants of the home escaped injury, although one was briefly treated at the scene.
However, two cats and a pet bird perished in the blaze. Two dogs also managed to escape.
An overnight fire at a home on Guildford Crescent in London, Ont. on July 3, 2022 claimed the lives of three pets and caused an estimated $250,000 in damages. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)In daylight, damage to the rear of the home is substantial, including the back deck. Fire investigators have since narrowed their search for a cause to the area.
“It was somewhere located around the fire pit, near or on the deck, near a gazebo,” Shewell stated.
18 firefighters and six engines were at the scene.
Damage is estimated at over $250,000.
As the investigation continues, Shewell reminds Londoners not to have a fire on wooden decks or near other combustible materials.
He also reminds everyone to never re-enter a burning home, even to rescue a furry friend. Shewell said when it’s safe to do so, firefighters have the best chance, and equipment, to help rescue pets.
“We will do everything we can in our training to make sure we do everything we can for members of the family, such as pets,” he said.
The fire is not believed to be suspicious.
Earlier this week, London firefighters saved a dog from a burning home on Tennyson Street.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'
Bayer announced Thursday it is recalling two lots of its hydraSense Baby Nasal Care Easydose due to a potential contamination.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.