CORNWALL, Ont. – A South Glengarry family safely escaped a fire in their Glen Walter home on Wednesday afternoon.
Firefighters responded at around noon to a structure fire in a small subdivision at a Page Drive residence.
The flames were eventually extinguished but the home of Danny and Brenda Brunet burned to the ground.
“There were no injuries, and all pets were removed safely from the property,” South Glengarry Acting Fire Chief Dave Robertson told Seaway News. “The homeowner and other occupants had self-evacuted prior to our arrival.”
Robertson said 40 South Glengarry firefighters arrived at the scene, on the southwest corner of Lana Drive and Page Drive, representing all four of the township’s fire stations: Glen Walter (1), Martintown (2), Williamstown (3), Lancaster (4).
But fire crews were still grappling with the fact that there are no fire hydrants in the neighbourhood, so water was trucked in to douse the flames.
“They have multiple trucks shuttling water,” said Junior Lalonde, one of dozens of people who congregated around the scene this afternoon. “The owner is outside, and seems very discouraged.”
Smoke from the fire could be seen all the way in Cornwall.
“Within 10 minutes of our arrival, the home was fully engulfed in flames,” said Robertson.
Firefighters are expected to remain at the scene until 6 p.m. The South Glengarry Fire Service is determining the cause of the fire. No foul play is suspected.
“We’re using an excavator to pull material to the side to ensure they’re properly extinguished.”
Neighbours from across the street repdorted smelling smoke at around noon.
“The whole house went up, and it’s all he has,” said a witness at the scene. “Fortunately, they got out safe. They were able to move the trucks, too.”
The witness said it took about 15 minutes for fire trucks to arrive to the one-and-a-half storey home with a detached garage.
“The family has been displaced,” said Robertson. “I’m not sure what arrangements they have for this evening, but we’ll assist in any way that we can.”
An online fundraiser has been setup. Donations can be made here.
