A resident had minor injuries and several tenants were displaced after a fire damaged a Welland apartment building Saturday afternoon.
Welland Fire and Emergency Services deputy Chief Burt Lamoureux said smoke and flames could be seen in the window of a third-floor apartment, as firefighters arrived at the Woodrose Cooperative Homes at 855 Ontario St. at about 2:40 p.m.
“Upon arrival, we confirmed a working fire and requested additional resources,” he said.
He said firefighters quickly set up equipment and began fighting the blaze from the exterior of the building before attacking the fire from inside as well.
Their efforts prevented the flames from spreading beyond the apartment where it began.
Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics brought one patient to a local hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns, Lamoureux said.
The apartment where the fire began was vacated and no one else was in the unit, although several pets were rescued unharmed from the building.
Lamoureux said the pets are now in the care of family members and the SPCA.
“The pets are actually doing very well right now. We were able to shelter them in a room where there was no smoke until they were able to be collected.”
He said the electricity was shut off to four units in the building, displacing the occupants of those apartments who are now being assisted by the Canadian Red Cross.
The Ontario Fire Marshal’s office was called in to assist with the investigation.