Oct 22, 2009 - 02:54 PM

By Reka Szekely

AJAX -- A man has died after being pulled from a fire at his Noake Crescent home Thursday afternoon.

Firefighters could be seen working on the man on a stretcher before loading him into an ambulance about 1 p.m. Meanwhile, grey smoke continued to billow from the detached home with double garage in the Westney Road and Magill Drive area.   

Ajax deputy fire chief Mark Diotte said the call came in at 12:25 p.m. and firefighters found the man inside the home shortly after arriving on scene.

“He was rescued from the structure and transferred to the care of Durham EMS ... it is my understanding that the gentleman was pronounced (dead) at the hospital,” said deputy chief Diotte.

He did not provide further information on where the fire started or the potential cause.

“The Ontario Fire Marshal’s office is en route and they will be conducting an investigation in conjunction with Ajax fire investigators and Durham police investigators,” Mr. Diotte said.

Sgt. Nancy van Rooy of the Durham police said the Forensic Investigation Unit has been called in.

Noake resident Jerry Wowk was walking his dog down the street past 42 Noake Cres. at roughly 12:30 p.m. when he smelled the smoke.

“You could hear the smoke detectors and I know that smell wasn’t a fire place,” said Mr. Wowk.

He banged on the door but no one answered and he could see smoke seeping out from the corner of the house.

“When I smelled that smell and I got no answer, I knew something was wrong.”

He rushed across the street where a neighbour called 911. The neighbour, who identified herself as Barbara, said she heard a bang around noon and faintly smelled the smoke, but attributed it to nearby construction.

Sgt. van Rooy said there were reports of an explosion in the basement. The victim, reportedly in his 50s, was the only person inside.

Ajax Fire Services was quick to respond to the 911 call.

“They came here in about five minutes and I wasn’t sure if there was somebody in the house or not,” Barbara said. “I had to go back to the fire chief and confirm there was possibly someone in the house.”

Neighbours said the man had been living in the home for seven years. They were upset and nervous as they watched firefighters work Thursday afternoon. At the time, they were unaware that the man had died.

“I know the guy too, he’s a friend of mine and he tried to help me out,” said Mr. Wowk, adding he invited him over for dinner knowing Mr. Wowk was facing tough times.

Officials have not yet released the victim’s name.