Massive fire engulfs home east of Ottawa

It took 75 firefighters to control a two-alarm-fire that gutted a large home near an Ottawa highway Friday.

Firefighters were called to the blaze east of Ottawa near Highway 174 and Trim Road around 11:00 a.m.

The house was a total loss, and firefighters estimated the damage at more than $600,000. The house was recently sold, and nobody was home when the fire broke out.

Firefighters eventually had to pull back from the fiery house after a section of it collapsed, opting for a "defensive attack." The fire burned well into the afternoon.

The fire snarled highway traffic east of Trim Road. Westbound vehicles are being diverted to Old Montreal Road.

Ottawa firefighters said they are working to get the highway open for rush-hour traffic.