Community members help firefighters save Matheson home

A serious house fire in Matheson on Monday night spread to include two vehicles, the garage and a neighbouring home, fire officials said this week.

Firefighters from the Black River-Matheson Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Leslie Crescent on March 16 after receiving the call at about 5 p.m.

Fire officials said crews from the department’s Matheson, Ramore and Val Gagne stations arrived to find a garage and two passenger vehicles fully engulfed. The fire had already spread to the home located behind the garage, with flames visible from the roof and eaves.

Neighbours assist on scene

Fire Chief Guy Lamb said in an email to CTV News that firefighters, along with neighbours and community members, quickly connected to fire hydrants and began applying water to the structures

After hours of fighting the fire in extreme weather conditions, crews were able to extinguish the blaze. The home, garage and vehicles sustained significant damage, but firefighters were able to save the home next door, with damage minimized.

“On the brighter side of this event, no one was seriously injured,” Lamb wrote.

Community support praised

Lamb noted that neighbours and community members assisted by connecting hoses, manning hose lines and ensuring firefighters had water or snacks to keep their energy up. He emphasized that contributions from residents played a role in the response.

“Each and every task is important and at times, an extra pair of hands can make a difference when it comes to saving a home,” Lamb wrote.

The fire chief said the incident demonstrated the skills and dedication of volunteer firefighters, noting that fighting fires is an extremely difficult task that requires years of training.

“Our firefighters are grateful and thankful for everyone that helped out that evening, no matter how small the task was,” Lamb said.

Fire safety reminder

Lamb used the opportunity to remind homeowners about fire prevention measures.

“I would like to take this opportunity to remind all homeowners to have working smoke and CO alarms, have an escape plan and practice fire safety,” Lamb added.

With files from CTVNorthernOntario.ca anchor Ian Campbell