Fire near Double Eagle not considered suspicious (3 photos)

The residential house fire that occurred on the 100 block of Wallace Terrace last night is not considered suspicious at this point, says Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services (SSMFS) Deputy Chief Paul Milosevich.

Although there is no reason to believe the two are related, the fire occurred about 300 metres away from Double Eagle Parts and Service, where two suspicious fires occurred in the last nine days.

Last night a female occupant at the Wallace Terrace incident was woken up by her fire alarm and then, smelling smoke, made a 911 call at around 1:15 a.m.

The woman exited the home via an upstairs window that led onto the roof of the front porch as Sault Ste. Marie City Police officers coached her from the ground.

Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services responded on scene, set up a ladder, and rescued the woman from the roof.

The woman was taken to the Sault Area Hospital for smoke inhalation where she was treated and released.

 “A working smoke alarm certainly made a difference in the outcome of this fire,” stated Investigating Fire Prevention Officer, Paul Antonello in a press release issued today.

The Ontario Fire Marshal is only contacted to investigate fires if certain criteria are met.

These criteria might be the amount of damage based on the building type, whether arson or malicious intent is suspected, and if there is a fatality or injury.

The smoke inhalation suffered by the occupant is the reason SSMFS called the OFM in this situation, said Milosevich.

An investigation by SSMFS and the OFM is ongoing.