A cooking fire in North Bay caused a significant amount of damage to a townhome in the West Ferris area of the city.

North Bay Fire and Emergency Services responded to a blaze around five pm, Monday on Manitou Street.

A person living in the home says he placed a pot of oil on the stove to heat and cook French fries.

Fire crews say a man and children were able to escape the home safely.

Crews were able to limit the damage to only the one unit.