UPDATE @ 8:50 p.m.: Fire Chief John Whelan says investigators have spoken to the victim of Monday afternoon’s fire and believe the blaze started while he was lighting something on the stove.
Whelan tells Quinte News the flames flashed up and burned the man’s hands and face.
The investigation is continuing, but Whelan says the small cottage was completely destroyed, with damage costs estimated in the $100,000 range.
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A cottage in Frankford was destroyed by fire on Monday afternoon.
Fire Chief John Whelan says Quinte West firefighters from Station 7 in Frankford, and Station 5 in Batawa, were called to 1299 Glen Ross Road around 3 p.m. and the cottage was engulfed in flames when crews arrived.
Whelan says initial reports indicating a propane explosion were unfounded and investigators are looking at a stove as the potential cause.
He says a man suffered burns to his face and was taken to Trenton Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Investigators were still on scene as of 6:00 p.m. and we’ll update the story as more details come out.
