Approximately a dozen fire trucks were dispatched to the home of an apparent hoarder after a blaze broke out Friday afternoon. It quickly spread and engulfed the east-end residence.
Platoon Chief Kevin Shaw said the Monarch Park Avenue home -- located near the Coxwell and Cosburn Avenues area – was "fully charged with smoke" at one point.
He said the two-alarm blaze started at approximately 2 p.m. and was eventually knocked out at approximately 4 p.m.
Shaw said the sheer amount of "debris" that was in the home slowed the firefighters' initial response.
"The debris is almost floor to ceiling…There are microwaves, TVs, furniture, bedding, papers and clothing," he said. "Unfortunately, that is how a lot of people live…They manage to tunnel their way through it and live in it, but it makes it extremely difficult for firefighters to get in there and try to locate people."
Neighbours say the owner of the home was seen leaving earlier in the day. Fire crews are removing the smouldering debris from the house to make sure he is not inside.
Firefighters have not said what sparked the blaze.
