A home on Highway 12 near Coldwater was destroyed by an early morning fire Tuesday.

Jenny Leggett is Oro-Medonte’s communications officer. It was stated that the fire was reported by a passerby at around 7.30 this morning. He said the fire appeared to have started in the garage area.

One person in the house woke up during the fire and escaped without injury.

Despite the efforts of about 20 firefighters from Oro-Medonte and Severn to extinguish the blaze, the house was a “total loss,” Leggett says.

There was no damage estimate.

Brooklyn Harker, media relations coordinator for the OPP’s central district, said Highway 12 between Oro-Medonte Bypass 2 and Dunns Line was closed for most of the day but reopened before 2 p.m.

He said the fire appeared to have started from an extension cord in the garage and was not considered suspicious.

No injuries were reported.