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Grindrod fire forces woman out of home

Enderby firefighters responded early Thursday morning to Monks Road

An elderly woman escaped a burning home in Grindrod early Thursday morning.

Fourteen firefighters were called to Monks Road at 1:45 a.m. after receiving reports of a structure fire.

"It was fully involved when we got there," said Kevin Alstad, Enderby fire chief.

"There were flames coming out of the roof and walls."

The fire was reported after the woman was woken up by a smoke detector and she ran outside.

The older, two-storey home presented challenges for firefighters.

"It's constructed with shiplap and sawdust. There were lots of nooks and crannies for the fire to sit in," said Alstad.

"We got it down quickly but it kept flaring up. We used quite a bit of water. It was a fight."

In fact, some firefighters were still on scene at 9 a.m. Thursday morning tackling hot spots.

The woman was checked over by medical personnel and has been taken in by family.

In terms of the cause of the fire, the investigation continues.

"It's too early to tell but there was a wood stove inside the building. We still have to look at it further," said Alstad.