Firefighters from Oxdrift responded swiftly to a structure fire in Van Horne Township on Tuesday evening, working alongside EMS, the Ontario Provincial Police, and local veterinarians to bring the situation under control and rescue several animals from the affected home.
Crews arrived at the scene around 7 p.m. and were able to quickly bring the fire under control, preventing further spread. Officials confirmed that several pets were rescued from the smoke-filled home, with one animal transported to a nearby veterinary clinic for urgent medical care.
Fire officials reported that the home sustained significant structural damage. Despite the intensity of the blaze, no human injuries were reported, and the quick response of emergency crews was credited with preventing a more tragic outcome.
“We want to remind all residents to ensure their smoke alarms are installed and working properly. In an emergency, those few extra seconds of early warning can truly save lives,” said a fire department spokesperson.
Fire safety advocates urge Thunder Bay area residents to check their smoke detectors as part of routine home maintenance. The Oxdrift Fire Department encourages homeowners to test alarms monthly and replace batteries at least once per year. The cause of the Van Horne fire is under investigation.
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📍 Source: YourThunderBay | 🗓️ May 13, 2026 | 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
