EXETER – A fire during the evening of May 18 has destroyed a Gidley Street West home in Exeter.
Exeter and Huron Park firefighters responded to the call at Gidley between Marlborough and Carling streets at 10:15 p.m. Speaking to the Times-Advance on May 19, South Huron Fire Chief Jeremy Becker said the cause was still unknown, but said it appeared as though the fire started in the front of the house. Investigators from the Ontario Fire Marshal and South Huron firefighters were examining the scene the day after the fire.
Becker said the lone occupant of the house was home at the time of the fire and was assessed by medical professionals for injuries and cleared.
“The firefighters worked extremely hard and fast to contain the blaze and keep it to one residence,” Becker said. He said the neighbouring houses on both sides were close to the fire but firefighters successfully prevented them from being damaged.
“It was very evident that their training has paid off … The guys worked as a team and they worked well.”
Becker said firefighters were on scene until 1 a.m. and maintained security overnight until the Fire Marshal’s crew arrived May 19.
A section of Gidley Street West remained closed to traffic May 19.