Fire damages house in Rockland, two pets perish

Damage is estimated at $450,000 and two pets have died as the result of a fire at a house on Edwards Street in Rockland on Sunday afternoon.

The Clarence-Rockland Fire Department responded at 12:21 p.m. to the blaze.  Ottawa Fire Services also responded with two trucks at the fire scene and another truck to respond to other calls in Clarence-Rockland if necessary.

The single occupant of the house was not inside at the time of the fire, according to Clarence-Rockland Fire Chief Brian Wilson.  However, there were reports of two pets on the second floor.

“Fire crews attempted to make entry into the house to rescue the pets, conduct a search, as well as extinguish the fire, but were driven back due to high heat and fire conditions,” said Wilson.

Firefighters were at the scene from 12:25 p.m. Sunday until 10:15 p.m. that night.  In the mid-afternoon, flames could be seen shooting from the roof of the house and smoke was visible while approaching Rockland from the west on Highway 17.

The house was also home to a business called Minou Facial Symmetry.  Chris Barber of Ottawa called the owner of the business a part of his family and said she is his son’s godmother.  Barber has started a go-fund-me campaign online in support of the owner to help her rebuild her business. As of 5 p.m. on Monday, $7,450 had been raised toward the $10,000 goal.  Donations can be made at:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/minoru-facial-symmetry?fbclid=IwAR35gWV7_J8BQKYAqOkYbdFnuuECfLhmLFOwxw5pDGxOasAWpSFtKSY98KQ