Two families are homeless after an early morning fire destroyed a couple of Orleans homes yesterday.
Firefighters were called to the houses at 2105 and 2103 Avebury Dr. at around 1:50 a.m., where more than 60 firefighters battled the three-alarm fire.
“There was some concern in the early stages of the fire that it would take one or two more units,” said District Chief John Gagnon.
Neighbouring houses on either side of the houses affected were evacuated as a precaution and received some smoke and water damage.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but police do not believe it is suspicious.
According to Gagnon, the fire originated in the garage of 2105 Avebury, then burned up to the roof and jumped to the eaves of 2103.
Occupants of both homes were able to flee without injury, but the houses were destroyed beyond repair. The initial damage estimate is around $1.2 million to the buildings and $300,000 more for the contents.
Next-door neighbour Stephane Rizok, who lives at 2107 Avebury, was woken just before 2 a.m. by firefighters who told him to evacuate the house.
“I’ve never been beside a house that burnt down,” he said.
“It was really shooting up high. We were watching to see that it didn’t jump over to the next house.”
Rizok and other neighbours were later allowed to return to their homes.
Around noon yesterday, firefighters were still on the scene to ensure all hidden fires were extinguished.
