Greater Sudbury Fire Services is urging residents to exercise caution in these extreme temperatures as they attempt to keep water pipes from freezing.
Deputy Fire Chief Jesse Oshell said three stations responded to a house fire on Voyageur Street this morning.
It was the elderly occupants of the home who called in and reported smoke, said Oshell.
Firefighters were “quick to arrive” on scene. They helped evacuate the residents with help from neighbours. One of the home’s residents was taken to Health Sciences North with minor, non-life-threatening injuries.
Oshell said damage estimates are between $25,000 and $50,000.
“It’s not a complete loss, just a lot of smoke damage, and some fire damage to parts of the home,” Oshell said.
A city transit bus was also brought in to act as a warming shelter for firefighters and the home’s residents.
Frigid temperatures like this can quickly sap a firefighter’s strength, Oshell said.
With help from a contractor, temporary heat has been set up in the home to prevent pipes from freezing, said Oshell.
The fire was electrical, he said, as the home’s residents were using a heat gun to prevent pipes from freezing.
“We want to tell people to use caution, because in extreme temperatures, frozen pipes do occur, so use care when using tools like a heat gun to thaw pipes. Furthermore, do not overload circuits with things like heat guns.”
