Residential fire brought under control following coordinated response by Springwater Fire

On Saturday, January 17, 2026, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Springwater Fire and Emergency Services responded to a reported structure fire on Peter Street in Elmvale.

Upon arrival, fire crews encountered a residence with heavy flames, significant smoke and reduced visibility. It was initially unclear if any occupants were inside the home. Firefighters conducted an entry to perform a search; however, adverse fire conditions necessitated a stratetgic shift to a defensive approach to subdue the fire.

The event involved support from two fire stations and deployment of the aerial apparatus. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported amoung firefighters or potential occupants. Regrettably, a family pet cat was lost in the incident.

“Thanks to the quick response and coordinated efforts of approximately 30 firefighters, crews were able to bring the fire under control within an hour and a half of arrival,” said Deputy Fire Chief Jeff French. “Upon entry, deteriorating structural conditions were observed, prompting the decision to transition to defensive operations. This allowed crews to continue to suppress the fire from the exterior and maintain the perimeter.”

The damage to the property has been estimated at $500,000. An intitial invesitgation suggests the cause of the fire was electrical in nature, with no indications of suspicious activity.