The Town of Bruce Mines Volunteer Fire Department is reporting that a massive fire levelled a home and woodworking shop - belonging to a Mennonite family - just west of Bruce Mines over the weekend.
Fire crews from Bruce Mines, Johnson Township and Tarbutt Township responded to reports of a fire just west of Bruce Mines shortly after 2:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
By the time fire crews reached the Centre Line Road property, the structures were fully engulfed by flames, according to Bruce Mines fire chief Randy Morin.
Strong winds that day may have been a factor in spreading the blaze from the woodworking shop to the house, Morin said.
The Bruce Mines fire department was advised that two adults and five children were residing at the house, but the residence was unoccupied when firefighters arrived on scene.
A barn containing livestock was left untouched by the fire.
Morin says the "devastating" blaze was the worst one that he’s seen since becoming fire chief in Bruce Mines nearly a year ago.
The cause of the blaze has yet to be determined.