12:40 p.m. update
Laurette Velmore and her husband Jacob Budzak lost everything in a fire at a townhouse complex this morning on Valley Crescent. There were eight units in the building.
“I lost everything and my granddaughter (April Totten) lost everything,” Velmore said, standing outside her gutted unit while firefighters worked to contain the fire.
“Our granddaughter is so upset now,” she added.
Velmore speculated the fire may have been caused by a propane tank exploding but the cause has yet to be determined by fire officials. She said it started shortly after 10 a.m.
They have lived in the unit for 17 years and she said they have insurance.
Dwight and Victoria Harrington have lived in unit 5 for 22 years and said they did not have insurance. Their unit was also substantially damaged.
They were out shopping when the fire started.
The extent of damage in the other six units is not known.
Fire chief John Thomas called the fire “serious” but didn’t release any further details at the scene.
It’s believed that all occupants managed to escape the fire.
Original story: 11:15 a.m.
ElliotLakeToday's Kris Svela is on the scene of a fire on Valley Crescent.
The city reports the fire is large and may result in water discolouration for residents throughout the city.
"If you experience discoloured water please run your cold water until it clears," says a City of Elliot Lake news release. "Please avoid using hot water until your water runs clear."
We will have more on this story as information becomes available.