Oshawa firefighters brought an early-morning house fire under control Friday after responding to a home on Secretariat Avenue in the city’s north end.
The Oshawa house fire was reported shortly after 2 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, with Oshawa Fire Services advising residents that crews were dealing with an active blaze and asking people to stay clear of the area.
Firefighters remained at the property for more than an hour as suppression operations continued.
Shortly after 3 a.m., Oshawa Fire Services reported that the fire had been brought under control and that some crews remained at the scene to perform overhaul operations.
Two birds reportedly rescued from Oshawa house fire
While the fire department’s initial public updates focused on firefighting operations, a freelance photographer who attended the scene reported that two birds were successfully rescued from the home.
Photographer Colin Williamson said no injuries had been reported and praised firefighters for quickly containing the blaze and protecting nearby homes.
The report about the birds and injuries had not been separately confirmed in the initial public updates issued by Oshawa Fire Services.
Photographs from the scene showed emergency crews working around the residential property during the early morning hours.
The condition and species of the rescued birds were not immediately provided.
Fire brought under control within hours
Oshawa Fire Services first announced the working fire shortly after 2 a.m., telling residents that firefighting operations were underway on Secretariat Avenue.
The street is located in north Oshawa, in the broader area near Simcoe Street North and Conlin Road East.
By shortly after 3 a.m., the department said the fire was under control.
Crews then moved into the overhaul phase, which generally involves checking the structure for remaining hot spots and making sure flames have not spread into concealed areas.
Local radio reporting also confirmed firefighters were called to the Secretariat Avenue home at approximately 2 a.m. Friday and had brought the blaze under control. There was no immediate word on what sparked the fire.
Cause of blaze not yet announced
No official cause of the Oshawa house fire had been publicly announced in the information available Friday morning.
There was also no immediate estimate of damage to the home.
Residents should avoid assuming the fire was suspicious unless investigators or Oshawa Fire Services release information supporting that conclusion.
The incident comes as Oshawa Fire Services continues to provide emergency response and fire-protection services throughout the city.
Fire crews respond not only to structural fires but also to medical emergencies, rescues and other incidents where life or property may be at risk.
Nearby homes reportedly protected
Williamson said firefighters were able to protect neighbouring houses while dealing with the blaze.
That was particularly important because residential structure fires can spread rapidly, especially when flames reach exterior walls, roofs or nearby structures.
No evacuation of surrounding homes was mentioned in the initial reports.
The fire department’s request for residents to remain clear of the area was issued while crews were actively working at the property.
By the time the department issued its later update, the immediate firefighting operation had shifted to ensuring the property was safe and checking for remaining fire.
The rescue of the two birds provided a positive outcome from the early-morning emergency.
Further information could still emerge regarding the cause, extent of damage or whether the home can be safely occupied.
For now, the Oshawa house fire on Secretariat Avenue is reported to have been brought under control without reported human injuries, while two birds were reportedly rescued from the residence.
