Hasting Highlands Fire Department fought a major fire in the Monteagle area.
The department responded to the fire on Thursday around 4 PM. They say that when they arrived, the structure was fully engulfed. Five stations and 23 firefighters responded to the scene. The department says one lone occupant was there at the time. No firefighters or residents were injured in the blaze. The department say that because of the extent of the damage, the origin of the fire will remain undetermined. They do not think it is suspicious in nature.
The department said it would like to remind residents and seasonal residents to have working smoke and CO alarms on every story of a house, have a plan of escape, and to test their alarms regularly. They say residents have less than a few minutes to escape a fire in their home or cottage.