Ottawa firefighters salvage antiques from dangerous house fire in North Gower
Posted Dec 13, 2021 01:34:00 PM.
There are no injuries reported after a fire in North Gower over the weekend.
The Ottawa Fire Communications Division received multiple 911 calls shortly after 12 p.m. on Sunday, December 12, reporting flames coming from the roof of a single family home on Fourth Line Road, between Pollock Road and Phelan Road West.
Residents who reported the fire weren't sure if there had been anyone in the home, but it was later confirmed by the owner that there was no one inside.
Once Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) arrived on the scene, the entire home and the garage were fully engulfed in smoke and flames.
Two large propane tanks on scene created a hazard for firefighters, who were instructed to keep water on the tanks to keep them cool. Crews were also notified that there were 5,000 rounds of ammunition inside the garage.
Fire crews also worked to keep the flames away from the hydro lines until they could be de-energized by Hydro One, and then disconnected.
Around 12:30 p.m. one of the sides of the home collapsed. Shortly before 2 p.m., a crew of four firefighters were able to make their way inside the home, despite the heavy smoke conditions.
As a result, they were able to salvage a number items, mainly antiques, from the first floor and bring them for storage to a nearby barn.
Just after 2 p.m. crews pulled out of the structure as conditions inside grew worse.
The fire was declared under control at 3:39 p.m. and crews remained on the scene until the late afternoon.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.
