Tara Jeffrey
Damage is expected to surpass $1 million after a stubborn blaze tore through a historic Sarnia home last Friday, officials say.
Chief fire prevention officer Roel Bus says no criminal activity is suspected in the fire at 435 Christina Street, which likely began in the attic, and was ‘a stubborn one to extinguish’ due to flames burning directly beneath a metal roof covering.
“Suppression crews did a great job to keep the fire damage to the attic, but the lower levels of the house were subject to water damage,” he said. “Damages to the historic building unfortunately were extensive, and with today’s house prices may surpass $1 million.”
The building was not occupied at the time of the fire, and no firefighters were injured, he added.
Emergency crews responded around 7 a.m. Friday, where smoke was seen billowing from the property – once home to MIG Engineering – as police closed the roadway between London Road and Nelson Street for several hours.
According to the City of Sarnia’s Heritage Registry, the two-storey brick home was built in 1908, originally owned by John M. Diver.
