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2- The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday April 16, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Family pets perish in $250,000 house fire By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The family cat and dog perished, but no family members were injured in a $250,000 blaze that gutted an Elmwood Road home yesterday morning. "The total inside of the building and all it contents, about $250,000 was lost," said Oakville Fire Department fire prevention officer Michael Harrison. "There were no injuries to the residents, but the pets, both the family cat and dog, perished," said Harrison. No one, except the pets, were home at the time of the blaze at 166 Elmwood Rd. At least seven fire trucks, including pumpers, ladder and rescue units, descended upon the house shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday after smoke was reported coming from the roof and flames were seen licking up at the rear of the single-family home. Though the cause of the fire is being listed as undetermined, Harrison said it is believed to have started somewhere in the ceiling of the basement or the floor of the first floor of the 800 sq.-ft. bungalow. About 10 firefighters had to rip apart the basement ceiling to locate the start point of the fire, according to Harrison. "The home had working smoke alarms," said Harrison and they were sounding when fire officials arrived. A neighbour called 911 to report the fire. The house was turned over to the family yesterday afternoon to secure and Harrison said its residents, who'd gone to work at the time RIZIERO VERTOLLI / OAKVILLE BEAVER FIRE GUTS HOUSE: No family members were home when a blaze gutted this Elmwood Drive home, although two pets, a cat and a dog, died in the fire. of the fire, appeared to have extended family members on site. Harrison said the blaze spread from the basement through to the attic and noted that the new interconnected smoke alarms, which, if sounded in the basement, also sound on upper floors, are invaluable. "Oakville Fire reminds the community that smoke alarms are mandatory in all homes. Residents must ensure that smoke alarms are properly located in the home, properly installed and working all the times. Only working smoke alarms can save your life and residents should have a fire safety plan for their escape," said Harrison. e · exotic · urban · classic · contemporary Ideas that Work! $1199 *FREE INSTALLATIONS $989 * For new Kitchen Quotations only $1489 D E S I G N MANUFACTURE INSTALLATION cabinetry solutions tailored to specific needs · down to earth prices · high-tech manufacturing with old world craftsmanship and attention to detail AYA KITCHENS OF OAKVILLE 1195 North Service Rd. W., Unit #1 & #2 905.847.1522 · Fax: 905.847.1951 e-mail: oakville@AyAkitchens.com www.AyAkitchens.com 217 Lakeshore Road East Downtown Oakville Since 1953 www.swissinteriors.com 905.844.3530