Damage from Sunday morning house fire near Bond Head estimated at $1.5 million

Firefighters are still determining the exact cause of an extensive house fire on the west side of Bradford West Gwillimbury early Sunday morning.

At around midnight, crews from Bradford Fire and Emergency Services were called to a report of a garage fire on Cassells Drive, near Bond Head. Once on the scene, they found the fire had spread into the main structure, causing “significant damage,” Deputy Chief Steve Hall said. Bradford Today June 9.

He estimates the damage at about $1.5 million.

Witnesses said the house had recently been renovated.

Another witness said Bradford Today they could hear an explosion from their home more than a kilometer away.

“We’re getting information from the owners that when they opened their garage door, one of their cars was on fire and flames were coming from under the hood,” Hall said Monday morning, noting that the vehicle in question was not powered.

New fire departments from Tecumseth and Innisfil were called during the incident to provide mutual aid and tanker service, and portable tanks were set up to maintain a steady flow of water.

The occupants escaped safely thanks to working smoke detectors, Hall said.

— With files from Paul Novosad