$450,000 FIRE DESTROYS HUNTSVILLE HOME LATE LAST NIGHT

HUNTSVILLVE — A stubborn fire last night is under investigation after it destroyed a home here.

The Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department had to call in several stations, including support from Bracebridge, after a 911 call sent them Domtar Road just before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Crews from Huntsville Station 1, with assistance from Port Sydney Station 3, arrived on scene to flames coming from the second storey.

Mike Vadlja, fire prevention officer, says in a release today that frigid temperatures and limited access to water made it difficult for firefighters to get ahead of the fire.

He sid tankers from Lake of Bays and Bracebridge were called in to assist with water shuttle.

Firefighters battled the blaze for three hours.

A partial collapse had made conditions unsafe for firefighters to access.

So an excavator was brought in to create an opening to access hot spots.

Vadlja said damage is estimated at $450,000 and there were no injuries.

He said the investigation into the origin, cause and circumstances are ongoing.