‘It lit up the whole street!’: Blaze damages two Sarnia homes

Three residents escaped a late-night fire that destroyed their home and spread to neighbours’ home. CTV London’s Sean Irvine reports.

A fire in Sarnia has damaged two homes and left a family shaken.

The fire began at a split-level residence on Griffith Road around 11 p.m. Monday.

Payton West, who lives next door, said she and her mother were alerted by a “bang” and the smell of smoke.

“At first, we thought it was our house, and I started freaking out. Then my mom came outside and saw my neighbour’s house was on fire,” said West.

When she went to look for herself, she immediately felt intense heat from the blaze.

“The fire was huge! It was the whole right side of the house. Like, it lit up the whole street!”

Firefighters arrived within minutes and at the time, there was initial word that a family could be inside.

“Fortunately, all three residents had gotten out of the house already, and we proceeded to fight the fire and do search and rescue,” said Mike Otis with Sarnia fire.

The family managed to escape from the back of the house and were quickly guided to safety by first responders.

Meanwhile, the fire spread next door.

Initially, three stations, consisting of nearly 20 firefighters were called to the scene. But as the second house caught fire, a fourth station was called in to help.

The blaze was under control within half an hour and damage is extensive.

Fire investigators spent several hours at the scene searching for a cause.

Meanwhile, as a general reminder to all homeowners, Otis is stressing the importance of smoke alarms.

“Over two thirds of people who die in fires, it is because they didn’t have working smoke alarms,” he said.

Thankfully in Monday’s fire, that wasn’t the case.

“Absolutely, yeah. I’m just glad everyone is out and safe,” said West.