$700,000 in damage after overnight house fire in Windsor
Sirens woke up the block on Victoria Avenue near Elliott street around 2 a.m. Monday morning.
“Jumped up to see what was going on and looked out the window and saw this house, saw the flames shooting out of the roof. It was pretty scary,” said resident John Powell.
Windsor Fire officials say the flames started on the second floor but it wasn't long before the roof collapsed.Windsor fire works to contain a blaze on Victoria Avenue in the early morning hours of May 6, 2024. (Unofficial: On Location/Facebook)
“Too much damage in the structure to investigate so it's going to be undetermined at this time. No injuries,” said fire prevention officer Mike Coste.
Residents say the home has been vacant for a number of years and complaints have been filed with the city. Squatters are also known to have occupied parts of the house.
The neighbouring house to the south also sustained some damage.
“Built in the early 1900's. Wood tends to burn really quickly. I'm really thankful Windsor Fire and Rescue were able to save the house next door,” Powell said.
The house at 849 Victoria Avenue had a heritage status, but it's not designated historical.
The owner of the home was visibly shaken by the fire. He told CTV News he has been renovating the home and was looking forward to moving his family in.
Damage from the fire is estimated at about $700,000 dollars.
“It's a shame. It's sad,” Powell said. “It's a part of history that is gone.”
Today is the first day of Emergency Preparedness week and Windsor Fire officials remind the public to be ready for anything.
“I beat this to death every time but a good portion of people in the city still don't have working smoke alarms,” Coste said while pointing out there is a fire almost every week in the City of Windsor.
“Make sure you have an emergency escape plan and make sure that you practice it. Two ways in and out of every room. A meeting outside. Call 911. Do not go back in."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
'Repetitive partisan conduct': Conservatives to force vote on ousting Speaker Greg Fergus
The federal Conservatives have advanced a motion that will force MPs to vote on whether to oust Greg Fergus as House of Commons Speaker, after MPs' deputy adjudicator ruled Monday that the Liberal member's allegedly errant partisan event invite required urgent attention.
Trial for B.C. man accused of killing, dismembering wife begins
The trial for a Langley man accused of killing his wife began Monday, with the prosecutor laying out a disturbing series of facts agreed upon by both Crown and defence.
Stars roar back to win Game 3 over Oilers
Jason Robertson's hat-trick goal midway through the third period broke a deadlock and proved to be the eventual winner as the Dallas Stars beat the host Edmonton Oilers 5-3 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final to take a 2-1 series lead.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
WATCH Alta. man rescues wild foal trapped on steep cliffside
A man's daring rescue of a newborn wild foal that was trapped after falling down a steep embankment was caught on video over the weekend.
Severe thunderstorms, tornado watch in some areas of Canada. Here's where
Depending on where you live, you can expect to get a mixed bag of weather this week, as local forecasts predict heavy rain, strong wind, severe thunderstorms and even snowfall across some areas of Canada.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Israel close to approving Gaza reunification program before Rafah invasion: Miller
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says Israel seemed to be on the verge of approving a program to get Palestinian relatives of Canadians out of the Gaza Strip before the country's invasion of the town of Rafah.