HUNTLEY -
Renovation work is being considered as a likely cause of a noontime fire that extensively damaged a Huntley home yesterday.
Alberton Deputy Fire Chief Chris Murphy said he called in the Tignish and Miminegash fire departments for assistance and estimates between 10,000 and 12,000 gallons of water were used to douse the flames.
"The fire was going, I'm estimating, for some time before anyone noticed it," said Murphy. "Flames were out the east end of the building when we arrived, and a lot of smoke."
A neighbour noticed the fire and called 911.
Owner Stephen Gillis, who was not at home when the fire broke out, said the east end of his home was extensively damaged by the fire and the rest of the home suffered smoke and water damage.
Provincial Fire Marshall Dave Blacquiere said he expects to have the cause pinpointed today, but he said he believes the fire was accidental.
"(Gillis) was working with plumbing aspects and he was working with his work materials - saws and what not," Blacquiere said. "It may have been from some of the activity that was going on with the renovations."
Gillis had been living in the Oliver Road home for 14 years.
