Early morning fire on Fourth Avenue claims life of family pet

North Bay Fire Department crews responded to an early morning structure fire Sunday that has left residents at 128 Fourth Avenue West home looking for alternative housing for the short term.

Deputy Fire Chief Mike Berchard says the call came in at 8:13 am and firefighters were quickly on the scene to find the back porch fully involved.

“That one’s been determined as basically careless smoking and disposal of the cigarette butts," says Berchard.

"And that would be our second fire so far in the last couple of weeks where we’ve had careless disposal of cigarettes.”

“And you know it’s important that the public understand that you have to ensure that your butt is out and that is not at risk of fire.”

“The butts were disposed in a bucket on the deck outside of the house and it was done early in the morning, people went in and what to bed and what happens is that will continue to smolder for some time so they have to make sure they are totally out.

Berchard says no one was injured, unfortunately one cat did perish.