Firefighters battle Delaware house fire twice in less than 48 hours

In a case of a blaze that wouldn’t quit, firefighters battled a house fire – twice – in the span of two days. Sean Irvine reports.

In a case of a blaze that wouldn’t quit, firefighters from Delaware and Mount Brydes battled a house fire, twice, in less than two days.

The initial blaze broke out Tuesday morning at a home on Wilson Street in Delaware. Although the property is less than a kilometre from the Delaware fire station, it falls under the jurisdiction of Strathroy-Caradoc Fire Department.

Middlesex Centre Deputy Fire Chief Scott Roper said heavy smoke was visible when Delaware crews arrived. Firefighters from Mount Brydges were also dispatched.

Crews determined the homeowners were not at the residence at the time.

The fire was brought under control using an aerial unit, and all firefighters had cleared the scene by mid-afternoon.

Around 1 a.m. Thursday, firefighters were called back after a neighbour reported seeing smoke coming from the house, said Strathroy Fire Chief Stephen Beasley.

Crews found a small fire burning in an open area behind a wall. It was quickly extinguished, and the property was secured.

“We took some of the soffit down and made sure we had captured all the void spaces at that time,” Beasley said. He added some newer construction methods can pose challenges for firefighters and thermal imaging equipment used to detect hotspots.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, though it is believed to have started in the garage.

Damage to the home is extensive, and Beasley said it is unclear whether the structure can be repaired.

Insurance representatives attended the property Thursday morning.

No residents were injured. One Delaware firefighter sustained a minor injury and is recovering.