Fire leaves tenants homeless (updated)

Fire has destroyed an apartment house at 221 Fifth Ave. E in North Bay, leaving six people homeless.

The North Bay Fire Department received the call around 5:30 this morning, said chief fire prevention officer Paul Aultman.

A woman and small child escaped through a back window and were taken to hospital, but released immediately, Aultman said.

The cause of the blaze hasn't been discovered yet, Aultman said, but it is believed to have started in the heated back porch of the house, which was divided into three apartments.

Damage is estimated at $200,000.

Aultman said one of the six occupants was working at the time the fire broke out. There were no injuries, and the blaze was put out by around 7 a.m.