Fire causes extensive damage to two Sault Ste. Marie homes

Fire damaged multiple buildings in Sault Ste. Marie over the weekend. Crews were called Saturday to a home and neighbouring residence on Grace Street.

Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services say crews battled a residential blaze Saturday afternoon that caused extensive damage to two dwellings and exposed neighbouring properties to heat.

City officials said firefighters were called to the 0-100 block of Grace Street shortly before 2 p.m. on July 11, after reports of a fire at a residential dwelling.

“Upon arrival, there was significant smoke and flames visible from the residential dwelling as well as the neighbouring residential dwelling,” fire services said in a news release.

Crews worked to contain the fire in both structures.

PUC Services and Enbridge Gas attended the scene, along with paramedics and local police.

Investigation ongoing

A subsequent investigation determined the fire originated on the outside of the residential dwelling, but the cause remains undetermined.

Aaron Gravelle, a public education officer with fire services, in a brief telephone interview with CTV News, said the incident is not believed to be suspicious in nature.

Extensive damage

The original dwelling and the adjacent home sustained extensive fire and smoke damage. A third neighbouring residence and a parked vehicle were also exposed to heat from the blaze.

“A firefighter was taken to hospital for precautionary reasons,” fire services said in the release.

Gravelle has since confirmed the firefighter has been released from hospital.

No other injuries were reported.

With files from CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca journalist Cory Nordstrom