A fire in South Porcupine over the weekend caused about $500,000 in damage, according to the Timmins Fire Department.
Deputy chief Ellard Beaven said the fire happened on Sunday, Oct. 17 just before 10 a.m. It was in an apartment building in the former Gold Range Hotel at the corner of Golden Avenue and Main Street.
The fire was accidental and caused by an appliance failure, he said.
The person living in the apartment got out and a neighbour called 911.
"Fortunately, a police officer was going by, he went by all the apartments, knocked on the doors and everybody was accounted for and exited the building,” he said.
While the fire was contained to one apartment, there is heavy smoke damage throughout the whole building.
“The sad part is no one had insurance,” said Beaven.
Nine people were inside the five-unit building at the time. They are not able to return to the building.
Beaven said Red Cross took care of the people affected for 72 hours until they could find another place.
The South Porcupine and Whitney volunteers, and Timmins station responded to the call.
