Careless smoking is being blamed for a fire that destroyed a Stroud house April 1.
The homeowner, a 74-year-old man, fell asleep with a lit cigarette, investigators with the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office believe.
“He was alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm. It saved his life,” investigator Jeff Post told The Journal.
The blaze, which destroyed the two-storey Victoria Street home, started on the main floor of the house.
Innisfil firefighters were called to the house at about 2:30 a.m. When they arrived from a nearby station, the house was already engulfed in flames. Firefighters were forced to go into a “defensive mode”, with no hope of saving the house.
The homeowner escaped with minor injuries. The house, which has been fenced off, is slated for demolition.
Today's Weather 
Unknown and 16°C
Unknown and 16°C
