Firefighters in Barrie battled an intense structure fire on Jones Drive Monday morning.
Shortly after 10 a.m., fire crews responded to a call from a homeowner reporting that their house was consumed by heavy smoke.
The homeowner had several pets, including a dog and a cat, who managed to escape the blaze before firefighters arrived. “The other cats were unaccounted for,” said Deputy Fire Chief Eric MacFadden.
Six fire trucks were dispatched to the scene.
Officials say crews initially attacked the fire from inside the home, but due to increasing smoke and safety concerns, they shifted to a defensive strategy, battling the flames from outside.
Barrie police assisted with traffic control and ensured public safety in the neighbourhood.
After re-entering the home, one firefighter was able to rescue a pet snake.
Barrie Fire remained on the scene Tuesday as the investigation team worked to determine the cause of the fire.
No injuries have been reported, and the cost of the damage remains undetermined. “There was significant damage from the fire, which will make it difficult for our team to investigate,” MacFadden concluded.
