Two Gananoque homes severely damaged after raging fire on Brock Street

A late-night fire in central Gananoque has left one house destroyed and another extremely damaged, according to Gananoque Fire Chief Gord Howard.

Gananoque Fire Service was called to Brock Street, a few blocks east of the Gananoque River, at approximately 11 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. Crews from both Gananoque Fire Service and the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands (TLTI) Fire Service responded to the call, where the fire quickly grew quickly to envelope the two residences on the north side of Brock Street just west William Street.

“On arrival, there was heavy smoke and flame visible from the second storey of both dwellings,” Howard said on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022.

Flames from the blaze could be seen from quite a distance as both two-storey buildings smouldered. According to Chief Howard, the residence where the fire broke out was “a total loss,” and the property beside it sustained “significant damages.”

While the effects to the physical residences were certainly destructive, there is still reason to be grateful, the Fire Chief expressed.

“Thanks to working smoke alarms in both properties, all occupants were able to exit the structures unharmed,” he said, noting that no civilian or firefighter injuries were sustained during the incident.

Crews with Gananoque Fire Service remained on scene for well over 12 hours, and were conducting overhaul operations just before 1 p.m. on Friday. The fire broke out at the house one door down from the corner (294 Brock Street), and spread to the house on the corner (298 Brock Street), according to Gananoque Fire Service. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time, and the investigation is ongoing.

The estimated cost of damages due to the fire is well over $500,000, Howard said.

“Big thanks to TLTI Fire and their crews. Thanks to Leeds and Grenville EMS, Hydro, Gananoque Police and Dispatch, and Gananoque Public Works,” he expressed, “And a reminder for everyone to check that their smoke alarms are in good working condition.”