CAMBRIDGE -- A fire at a semi-detached home in Cambridge resulted in two people being taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Fire crews from five different stations were called to the Sacha Road scene at 1:11 a.m. on Friday.
Officials say that, while one unit experienced much heavier damage, both units in the semi-detached residence caught fire. One neighbouring home was also exposed to the fire.
Angela Levy's mother lives next door and was forced out of her home in the middle of the night.
"She had no shows on," Levy said. "She said she left in her pyjamas."
Levy said there isn't much left in her mother's home.
"With COVID I am not even able to buy clothes, socks or underwear at retail stores unless there is curbside pickup," she said.
Impacted residents are staying with family members.
"Definitely shock and a sense of loss," Levy said. "Couldn't come at a worse time. But, again, we're so grateful everyone is safe. We're all together and that's certainly what matters most."
In a news release, police said residents reported hearing an explosion at the back of the home.
The estimated cost of damage is between $800,000 and $1 million.
"Likely with the structural integrity of the building compromised in both units, potentially would be a teardown," Dept. Fire Chief Brad Churchill said.
A restoration company was called to the site and said it's not safe to enter the building, meaning the investigation will be done from the outside for now.
Fire crews could be seen extinguishing hot spots in the backyard around 8 a.m. Damage was visible in the front yard, upstairs window, and interior.
Two males were taken to hospital due to smoke inhalation.
Officials say they expect to be at the residence for the majority of Friday.
Police, fire crews and the Ontario Fire Marshal are working to determine the cause.
With reporting by CTV News Kitchener's Heather Senoran
