Firefighters remain at the scene of a devastating house fire in Six Nations.
Crews were called to 2279 5th Line Road just after 12:30 a.m.
When they arrived on scene they found the home fully engulfed in flames.
A hydro wire adjacent to the home was also down, with the line almost in direct contact with the flames.
Firefighters launched a defensive attack on three sides of the home while they waited for hydro crews to cut power and the hydro line.
“When we arrived on the scene there was still live power to the house,” says Six Nations Fire Chief Matthew Miller. “[The] fire actually caused the wire to melt off the house and it landed on one side the structure where it was arcing.”
When firefighters got closer to the home they also discovered a natural gas leak.
A heavy excavator was also brought in to help Six Nations Natural Gas stop the leak.
Firefighters weren’t able to get close to the home until they were given an all clear by hydro and gas crews.
By that time the roof had collapsed and the house was completely destroyed.
The fire was extinguished shortly after 3 a.m., though firefighters continued to put out small hot spots throughout the night.
Three of them were treated for heat-related issues at the scene.
Miller says no one was home at the time of the fire.
Investigators don’t believe the fire is connected to a series of arsons on the Six Nations reserve.
However it is considered suspicious until the Ontario Fire Marshall has completed his investigation.
Firefighters and the Six Nations Police are expected to remain at the home until the investigation is complete.
