By 6:30 a.m. on Friday the 13th, fire crews in Elliot Lake were still spraying water on the fire that consumed the apartment building at 22 Hirshhorn Avenue.
"At approximately 1:36 p.m., the Elliot Lake Fire Department received a call for a working fire at an apartment complex on Hirshhorn Avenue," said Elliot Lake Fire Chief John Thomas in a release this morning.
"Upon arrival on scene, the fire department crew reported heavy smoke showing from the building and flames coming from inside the walls," he added. "Crews worked all night to get the fire under control but heavy damage was done to the building due to the extreme fire conditions."
Thomas also reported that two firefighters were sent to the hospital with minor injuries.
Firefighters were able to rescue five family pets but one was lost.
The fire crew is still on scene and it will be under investigation.
What we do know is that the City of Elliot Lake took to social media to alert its citizens about the fire at about 3:45 p.m., saying, "Please be advised. City Fire Crews are currently responding to a fire at 22 Hirshhorn Avenue.
"Residents are asked to please avoid the area for their own safety and to allow fire crews space to work."
By 5 p.m. on Thursday, flames were visible climbing out the top of the building and the topmost, centre unit was fully involved in fire.
Algoma--Manitoulin--Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes posted the following to Facebook