Multiple fires keep emergency crews busy Wednesday night

It was a busy night for the London Fire Department with crews responding to a gas leak, a kitchen fire, and a barn fire over the course of the evening.

It began shortly after 3 p.m., when emergency crews were called to a natural-gas leak in the Foxwood subdivison in northwest London. 

Colin Shewell, platoon chief with the London Fire Department, said the leak was in the area of Applerock Avenue and Bridgehaven Drive. 

A total of 14 homes were evacuated as a precaution, which displaced nine people during the day as fire crews monitored atmosphere levels in surrounding homes. 

Enbridge responded to the scene and repaired the gas line around 7:30 p.m. Residents were allowed to return to their homes following that. 

Kitchen fire on Southdale Road East 

Before firefighters could catch their breath, they were called to a kitchen fire on Southdale Road East. 

Crews responded to a townhouse unit at around 5:45 p.m. Wednesday. The Middlesex-London Paramedic Service and London Police Service also attended the scene. 

One person was taken to hospital with unknown injuries. 

Shewell said the fire is not believe to be suspicious but the damage is pegged at $75,000. 

Suspicious barn fire in north end 

London firefighters were called out to a barn fire in a residential neighbourhood in the north end Wednesday evening. 

When crews arrived around 7 p.m., the abandoned structure on Stackhouse Avenue near Fanshawe Park Road E., was fully engulfed in flames.

Shewell said there were no injuries and firefighters were able to put out the fire within 40 minutes. 

Police are assisting fire officials with their investigation because of the suspicious nature of the blaze, he added. 

"At this point it is suspicious because there is no electrical, hydro or gas running to the building. We will be investigating this as a suspicious fire with our partners at LPD."

Shewell said he is unsure of the cost of damage, but he believes it's low.