A fire that destroyed a home in Shanty Bay on Thursday afternoon was the fourth fire started by generators that Oro-Medonte firefighters have responded to in the past four days, according to Fire Chief Rory Payment.
The blaze was on Basswood Circle and was called in as a garage fire shortly after 3 p.m., according to Payment.
In an email to Barrie 360, he said the fire spread very quickly due to moderate winds.
Damage is estimated at $900,000.
One of the occupants of the home was injured trying to extinguish the fire, and one firefighter suffered a medical emergency. Payment said both individuals are expected to recover.
Damage is estimated at $900,000.
Payment said the blaze was caused by a generator that caught fire on the exterior of the home and spread to it.
As the hydro outage drags on for many people in the region, Payment is urging residents to take care and ensure safety when running generators.
He emailed this information to Barrie 360:
- never run a generator inside
- always maintain at least a 10 feet clearance from your home, car, deck or any other combustibles
- always turn your generator off and allow it to cool prior to re-fuelling.
- do not overload extension cords or pinch extension cords indoors.
- try to place generators downwind from your home so carbon monoxide does not enter your home, and should they catch on fire, flames are not fanned towards your home
- ensure all stoves and heat-generating appliances/devices, such as kettles, hair dryers etc. are turned off as power is being restored.
- make sure all smoke and CO alarms are in working order
