Fire Monday evening destroyed a two storey home on 1st Street in the community of Roland.
    
Roland Fire Chief Don Roy said they were alerted to the blaze by a bystander who noticed smoke coming from the eaves of the house.

He said thankfully, there was nobody in the home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.

There was nobody in the house when the fire broke out, however, Roy said the homeowner was inside the property earlier to thaw water lines in the house, and it's believed those efforts lead to the fire starting.

Roy noted the home has been vacant for about 5 years     
    
Damage is pegged at least $250,000.
    
Members of the Carman-Dufferin Fire Department assisted Roland crews in battling the fire. Winkler Fire Department members were also on standby to fill SCBA air tanks for Carman firefighters
    
Roy said the blaze was contained to the house, and no surrounding structures were damaged.

Crews were on scene for about 7 hours.

Photo by Shirley Nagel

Submitted by Helen Braun