Southbound traffic was blocked on Edward Street just north of Northwood Plaza after fire crews responded to a house fire on the corner of Ironwood Avenue and Edward Street Friday afternoon.
“Fire crews got a call to this residence by probably passersby that it was fully engulfed, flames coming out of the windows and heavy, black smoke,” said Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue platoon chief Mannford Rohr.
There were two occupants in the house at the time of the fire; both got out safely. It is believed the fire broke out at about 12:40 p.m.
Fire crews then extinguished the fire and at 1: 30 p.m., were waiting to send investigators in to determine the cause.
Rohr said the damage to the residence was heavy and extensive and noted in addition to the fire damage, there was probably smoke damage throughout the house.
There were five pumpers and 23 firefighters on the scene as well as a Thunder Bay Hydro crew. Rohr said they had to cut the hydro to the house because the lines were burnt through and were live on the ground.
Firefighters were on the roof of the house after the flames were extinguished, cutting holes in the roof to ensure there weren’t any spot fires left, Rohr said.
“We want to make sure everything is out before we leave,” he said. “We’ll get a restoration company in to patch the holes and make it weather-proof again.”
Rohr added there is a good chance the damaged area of the house can be rebuilt.
