A quiet family yard sale at a northeast residence became a terrifying ordeal when neighbours noticed smoke emerging from the roof of the home.

Shortly before 1:00 p.m., residents of the home on Whitefield Dr. N.E. were hosting a sale when they were notified of the presence of smoke.

Five people, including three children, were at home at the time of the fire and all escaped the structure uninjured.

Fire crews responded to the scene but the house suffered significant structural damage and the home’s roof collapsed into the building.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.