A roaring garage fire that damaged a gas meter in a residential neighbourhood in east London has left one person displaced.
The blaze broke out around midnight on Tuesday in a large detached garage on Hudson Drive, just south of Trafalgar Street. Firefighters responded to the multiple 911 calls and found the garage, which was nestled behind two homes, engulfed in flames.
"When crews arrived and assessed the situation we quickly added two more engines to fight the fire and were able to do an exceptional knockdown and save the houses from any additional damage," said London Fire Department Platoon Chief Colin Shewell. "Early notification by vigilant neighbours and the homeowner got our crews, between 20 to 25 firefighters, on scene within four minutes, which allowed us to limit damage to the primary house.
The two houses suffered only heat damage, while the garage and truck were destroyed. Damage is estimated at $100,000.
"Unfortunately, the owner of the garage was displaced because there was damage to the gas meter and we had to pull the hydro meter of the home due to the significant damage to the power running to the garage," said Shewell. "That individual is now staying with family."
Despite the intensity of the fire, no one was hurt.
The cause of the fire is believed to be electrical in nature.
"The damage was significant so to investigate it would be very difficult," said Shewell. "At this point with the information provided to us we are deeming it non-suspicious. There was electricity in the garage so we are looking down that avenue."