The Ontario Fire Marshal is investigating after a house fire in Caledonia spread to neighbouring homes, causing roughly $700,000 in damages.

Haldimand fire crews were called to Claymore Cres. shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday. Firefighters arrived to find one home fully engulfed in flames with the fire spreading to both homes on either side of it.

“With this being a close residential subdivision, the houses are really close. I think the crews did an excellent job with trying to contain the fire to the three houses so there was not any further damage,” said Roger Hill, Assistant Fire Chief.

Hill says a resident had left a deep fryer unattended on the back porch and when they returned, the entire back of the home was on fire. All residents managed to get out safely.

The total damages to all three homes is estimated at $700,000.