The lone male occupant of a townhouse within the complex on Walker Avenue was able to escape the unit unharmed when a fire erupted inside the residence late in the afternoon of Christmas Day.
"When we arrived, there was fire on the first floor, the second floor and out the roof," Orillia Fire Chief Michael Clark told OrilliaMatters Sunday night.
He said firefighters immediately began a "defensive attack" from the outside to try to quell the flames and stop it from spreading to nearby units. That strategy proved effective.
"The fire was contained to the one unit at 75 Walker," said Clark, noting there was "minor smoke damage" to neighbouring units. He said a couple residents were treated for smoke inhalation.
He praised the "good firefighting" efforts of his crews, noting they "worked very hard and effectively" to stop the fire from spreading.
He noted the Rama Fire Department was called in because their aerial unit was required. However, the "units are so jammed in there we weren't able to use" it,' said Clark, who said about 15 firefighters from Orillia and Rama, including some volunteers, were on scene at the height of the blaze, which was extinguished by about 6:30 p.m.
The Christmas Day snowstorm and accumulated snow on local streets did not hinder firefighters' efforts, Clark said.
However, efforts to leave the scene are proving difficult; Clark said sand is being applied on the short street that exits Barrie Road to help the fire trucks get traction.
He said it's not yet known what caused the fire as the investigation can only begin now that the fire has been extinguished.
ORIGINAL STORY:
A fire erupted at a townhouse in a townhouse complex on Walker Avenue late in the afternoon on Christmas Day.
Orillia firefighters arrived on the scene at around 3:30 p.m. and found a working fire in the townhouse, which is just off Barrie Road. Flames could be seen coming from a second-storey window at the rear of the complex.
The Orillia Fire Department have enlisted help from neighbouring Rama Fire Department.
It's not known what caused the fire or if there have been any injuries sustained.
Orillia Fire Department officials are urging people to stay away from the area while they battle the blaze.
We will provide more information when it becomes available.
