Quick-thinking neighbours helped rescue an occupant from an early-morning fire that ripped through one of the units of a triplex on Coldwater Road.
However, there were still two other frightened residents on the balcony when crews from the Orillia Fire Department arrived just before 1 a.m., said Chris Ferry, deputy fire chief.
"Neighbours put a ladder up to rescue one person from the (back) balcony prior to our arrival and fire crews rescued the second and third person from the balcony," said Ferry, noting the balcony was connected to the second-floor unit that was on fire.
He noted that "when the fire crews arrived on scene they had heavy black smoke coming from a second-floor window."
The Coldwater Road building, across from Victoria Park, is divided into three units.
"The crew conducting fire suppression encountered heavy heat and smoke conditions in the apartment on the second floor," said Ferry.
Firefighters were able to keep the fire contained to a bedroom, however the entire unit has smoke and heat damage.
Volunteers from North Simcoe Victim Services "attended the scene and assisted occupants with finding accommodation in a local hotel for the night."
Ferry said there were no injuries to the home's occupants or nine firefighters who were on scene along with Simcoe County paramedics and Orillia OPP officers.
"The fire is under investigation but not considered suspicious," said Ferry.
