Fire destroys multiple homes in Richmond Hill

A large fire destroyed several homes in Richmond Hill overnight .

Crews were called to Duncan Road shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Sunday after neighbours in the area reported hearing several explosions. 

It took about five minutes for trucks to respond, said Richmond Hill Fire Deputy Chief Tom Raeburn, and by the time they arrived a sprawling home under construction was entirely engulfed in flames.

The blaze reached two adjacent houses shortly after.

"The house where the fire started was under construction, so there was no brick on it, no drywall. Flames spread really quickly in that home, and the high winds really pushed it to the houses beside," Raeburn said from the scene.

Both of the neighbouring houses were occupied.

"Fortunately those folks got out early," he said.

There were no reports of injuries.

Eight trucks and about 35 firefighters battled the fire, Raeburn said. Crews from Vaughan, Central York and Markham fire services also stepped in to help out.

The windy conditions meant the situation could have quickly spiralled out of control, he said.

"There were embers flying everywhere. We actually had to send crews one street over as embers were getting on the roofs of houses one street down," Raeburn said.

The Ontario Fire Marshal has been notified and will be investigating the origin of the blaze.