The Office of the Fire Marshal has confirmed that the cause of the fatal fire at 235 Gosford Blvd., in Toronto was accidental says North Bay Fire Chief Jason Whiteley.
A space heater in one of the apartment’s bedrooms was too close to combustibles and caused the fire in which one person tragically perished and six others were injured.
“This tragic fire reinforces the need for those who live in high-rises, and other occupancies where tenants live, to learn what to do if a fire occurs in your building,” said Jon Pegg, Ontario Fire Marshal. “Learn about the fire safety features in your building and the emergency procedures outlined in the building’s fire safety plan. This includes knowing the locations of exit stairs from your floor in case the nearest one is blocked and evacuating if you hear a smoke alarm.”
Several factors played a role in this fire’s tragic outcome including:
1. When the battery-operated smoke alarm in the apartment activated before the fire being discovered, it was dismissed as false.
2. When the occupants discovered the fire, they attempted to extinguish it themselves instead of evacuating and calling 9-1-1.
3. Notification to the fire department only occurred once a smoke detector in the eighth-floor common area activated the monitored alarm system.
4. At the time of arrival by emergency services, the fire conditions were such, that the survival of the occupant and rescue by the firefighters was untenable.
North Bay Fire and Emergency Services recommend the following steps to protect yourself and your family:
- Treat all smoke alarm activations as serious. Smoke alarms will alert you and your family if a fire occurs. Dismissing them puts everyone at risk.
- Keep space heaters at least one metre (three feet) away from anything that can burn. Place in a location where it will not get tipped over.
- You are responsible for your family’s safety. Develop and practice a home fire escape plan.
- When your smoke alarms sound, the best thing to do is to get everyone out and call 9-1-1 from outside the building.
If you any fire safety questions, you can contact our Fire Prevention and Life Safety Division at 705-474-5662.
Link to original article on baytoday.ca: Treat all smoke alarm activations as serious says fire chief