The second fire to hit Walnut Grove in a week has heavily damaged a house.
All three occupants escaped unharmed from the blaze which broke out shortly before 5 a.m. yesterday (Monday) at 9457 214B St.
Township fire department spokesman Bruce Ferguson said initial estimates put the loss at $150,000.
On July 24, a fire at 8992 203B St. caused between $70,000 and $150,000 damage. No one was in that house when firefighters arrived.
Damage to the 214 B Street house is so extensive that it cannot be lived in, Ferguson said.
The fire broke out on the ground level where it caused significant damage.
But the upstairs floor, where the three residents were sleeping, sustained extensive smoke and water damage.
The occupants were alerted by their smoke alarm, Ferguson said, using the issue as a reminder that residents should check their smoke alarm units.
“Everyone should test their smoke alarms and change the batteries as required,” Ferguson said.
“Even hard-wired smoke alarms should be tested, and replaced every 10 years.”
In last week’s fire, it was neighbours who, smelling smoke, called 911.
That fire broke out shortly after 2 a.m.
A cause has not been determined, but investigators don’t believe either of the Walnut Grove fires was deliberately set.