Fire leaves family homeless

Minutes later, smoke was seen billowing out of the house which quickly became engulfed in flames. Bellerand, 51, who was not home at the time was contacted, but by the time he arrived on the scene his house had already been reduced to a pile of smouldering rubble.

Bellerand told Newsday that he lost everything in the fire except a television set. The house was divided into two apartments which contained valuables worth over $50,000.

He said the fire left him worried about the future since he now has to start all over again. He was however very relieved that his children were not at home when the fire occured.

Fire Prevention Officers are expected to revisit the ruins today to continue investigations as they try to determine the cause of the fire.