GALLINGERTOWN – A South Stormont farm house, west of Osnabruck Center, has extensive damage after a fire shortly after the lunch hour Sunday.
Around three dozen firefighters from the Newington, Long Sault, Ingleside and St. Andrews stations were on the scene at 14295 County Road 18 shortly after 12:45 p.m.
It’s the first home west of County Road 11 on the north side of County Road 18.
A connected outbuilding was fully engulfed by the time firefighters arrived and the flames quickly spread between a connected addition to the upstairs of the main two-storey dwelling.
South Stormont Deputy Fire Chief Larry Barkley told Cornwall Newswatch a passerby spotted the fire and stopped at a home across the street where the homeowner – who happened to be a firefighter – called it in.
The firefighter went to check the burning house to see if anyone was inside but no one was home at the time, Barkley said. He added that the homeowners did have a family dog but it was with them.
After roughly four hours doing battle and most of the structure still standing, Barkley said the firefighters should be commended for their hard work.
“They did a hell of a job. What we had when we pulled up and to see that building still standing there, they did a hell of a job putting it out. I’m surprised the house is still standing,” the deputy chief said.
“South Stormont should be very proud of their fire service…very proud.”
There were no serious injuries. A firefighter was checked over by SD&G paramedics at the scene after stepping on a nail.
SD&G O.P.P. were on the scene for traffic control and detours were set up on County Road 18 between Aultsville Road and County Road 11.
The fire department will be on fire watch most of the night in case of any hot spot flareups.
The township’s fire prevention office is investigating to determine the cause.
Click on a thumbnail below to open a gallery of photos from the fire scene.
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