Mitchell Brooks, who lives at 5269 Sunnidale Concession 3, on the outskirts of New Lowell, spoke with Metroland North Media the day after his family lost its home in a fire that officials say caused $375,000 worth of damage.

Brooks says the family spent its first night out of the home at their neighbours and that for about a week they will be staying at a hotel in Barrie, before going somewhere more long-term.

The loss of the family home - an official says the fire was caused by a faulty wire in the basement - is still sinking in.

"The shock is what gets you more than anything," Brooks said Wednesday afternoon, standing just metres from the house. "And it's just so sad.

According to Brooks, the house was built sometime during the mid-1970s.

The family - Brooks' wife Deena, and their daughters, Cayley, 16 and Kristin, 12 - have lived in the home for about 16 years.

"You can't beat the location," he said, surveying a beautifully treed and private lot.

Brooks said he was in his shop next to the home - he builds stairs for houses - when he discovered his house was on fire.

His wife, a lab technologist at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie and their daughters - Cayley attends Jean Vanier High School in Collingwood and Kristin goes to New Lowell Central Public School - weren't home at the time.

Brooks said a neighbour called 9-1-1 to report the blaze.

Chief Dave Carruthers of the Clearview Township Fire Department said the call came in at 1:30 p.m.

He said 40 firefighters from all five stations across the township responded.

He said it took about 11 minutes for firefighters to get to the scene and begin battling the flames.

A hydrant at nearby Surrey Lane provided a steady source of water to the department, the chief noted.

The fire was under control around 4:09 p.m., Carruthers said, adding the department left the scene around 5:30 p.m.

"The department performed excellently," Carruthers said, a sentiment that was echoed by Brooks a day later.

"I want to thank my neighbours and friends but mostly the firefighters - they did their best," Brooks told The Sun.

Because the bulk of Clearview's fire department was fighting the fire, Carruthers said he had firefighters from the Wasaga Beach Fire Department on standby at the hall in Stayner in case other calls for service came in.

As well, he said firefighters from the Essa Fire Department were stationed at the Sunnidale Corners station and later moved to the station in New Lowell.

The assistance from neighbouring fire services was accessed under what's called the Simcoe County Mutual Aid Program. Under the program, neighbouring fire services help each other when needed.

Carruthers described the fire as "extremely, extremely hot. The heat build up in the building was so intense that it melted virtually everything that was plastic."

He added that several windows in the home were blown out.

"The fire went from the basement up to a bathroom and spread. It went up to the ceiling and into the attic, causing damage as well," Carruthers said.

Brooks said the inside the home is burnt and black from the smoke.

Carruthers said the fire department called in the Canadian Red Cross to aid the family with any immediate needs.

"This was the first time since reaching an agreement with the Red Cross [earlier this year] that we've used this service and it worked well," the chief said.

But Brooks said aside from toiletry items the family was fine.

"It was nice of them to come out though," he said.

Despite the loss of their house, Brooks said he's just glad nobody was injured.

"We're not destitute, no one was hurt," he said.