A late-night fire in Sarnia on Monday caused significant damage to two homes and left one family deeply shaken. The blaze began around 11 p.m. at a split-level house on Griffith Road. A neighbor, alerted by a loud noise and the smell of smoke, initially feared her own home was on fire before realizing the flames were coming from the house next door.
The fire engulfed the right side of the residence, creating intense heat and lighting up the street. Fortunately, all three occupants managed to escape through the back of the house and were quickly assisted by first responders.
Fire crews arrived within minutes, initially dispatching three stations with about 20 firefighters. As the flames spread to the neighboring home, a fourth station was called in. The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes, but both properties sustained extensive damage.
Investigators remained at the scene for several hours to determine the cause. Officials emphasized the life-saving importance of working smoke alarms, noting that in this case, they played a critical role in ensuring everyone’s safe escape.