Firefighters battle a fire at a vacant house at 381 Wharncliffe Road South, February 15, 2024. (Photo by Scott Kitching, Blackburn Media)  Firefighters battle a fire at a vacant house at 381 Wharncliffe Road South, February 15, 2024. (Photo by Scott Kitching, Blackburn Media)
London

Fire causes 'extensive' damage to vacant London home

A fire that caused extensive damage to a vacant house in London's Manor Park neighbourhood is being considered suspicious.

London firefighters were called to the storey and a half home at 381 Wharncliffe Road South just after 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. Thick smoke and flames were seen shooting up from the vacant house when crews arrived.

Platoon Chief Colin Shewell said at one point, multiple fire apparatuses and 24 firefighters were on scene battling the blaze.

Wharncliffe between Langarth and Emery streets was closed with the emergency vehicles and a London Hydro truck blocking the area. Hydro workers were brought in to cut power to the home.

By mid-morning, the fire was out with crews working to ventilate smoke from the basement.

No injuries were reported, but damage to the home is extensive, said Shewell.

A fire prevention investigator will be probing the cause of the fire.

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