Brooklin house goes up in flames

BROOKLIN -- A beautiful Brooklin house is in ruins today after fire swept through it early Tuesday morning.

The fire, at 9 Tunney Place in Brooklin, in the Winchester and Ashburn roads area, was reported by a resident of the home at about 7:45 a.m.

The garage was engulfed in flames when fire trucks arrived on the scene within four minutes of receiving the call, said Shawna Coulter, public education officer for the Whitby Fire Department.

The majority of damage occurred in the front of the house -- in the garage area, including two vehicles -- and extended into the bedroom upstairs. One of the neighbouring houses also sustained some damage to its exterior.

There were two people home at the time of the fire, but both escaped without injuries. Investigation into the cause is still pending. Damage is estimated at $100,000.

"All the smoke detectors in the house were working and we're really happy about that," Ms. Coulter said.

Most of the neighbours surveying the damage outside said the fire was extinguished before they woke up.

"When I hear a fire engine in this town, I'm out of my house in a flash," said Elisabeth Wesseling, who lives across the street from the residence. "I've seen what a fire can do."