One man was taken to hospital after making the regrettable decision to go back inside of a burning townhouse in northeast London on Monday morning.
Fire crews were called to the home at 50 Country Lane, north of Kipps Lane just before 7 a.m. They arrived to find smoke coming from the townhouse.
"The fire crews did an aggressive interior fire attack and conducted search and rescue to ensure that there was no one else inside the townhouse," said Platoon Chief Kirk Loveland.
Three residents were able to escape safely from the townhouse before firefighters arrived. However, one of them attempted to go back inside the unit and was quickly overcome with smoke. That individual was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Loveland said the incident serves as an important reminder to never to go back inside of a burning structure.
"If you have a fire, have a meeting place outside where you can meet and make sure everyone is out, and don't go back in," said Loveland. "Call 911. Once crews arrive we will take care of the fire and if there is anything you need, we have the equipment and the protection to go back into a fire."
An official damage estimate has not yet been determined, but the fire is believed to have caused more than $100,000 damage.
A fire investigator is expected to remain on scene for the rest of Monday morning working to identify the cause and origin of the blaze.
