Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services took to the streets on Sunday afternoon as part of their ‘After the Fire – Reassurance Campaign.’
Firefighters visited over 30 homes in Chatham’s downtown core after many were asked during Saturday’s fire to shelter-in-place and a few families were evacuated.
Check out our original story, here: ‘Toxic fire’ in Chatham
Firefighters went door-to-door reminding those residing in the area about the importance of having working smoke & carbon monoxide alarms and a regularly practiced home escape plan.
“Saturday we were asking people to stay in their homes because of the amount of smoke in the area, so firefighters also reinforced messages about how to shelter-in-place and the importance of having a 72 hour emergency kit,” stated Whitney Burk, public educator for Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services, in a press release.
Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services officials say the call came in shortly after 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon with reports of thick black smoke coming from a commercial building located at 61 Thames St.
Fire crews were on scene within four minutes and were met with heavy black smoke barreling from the building, which was home to a military surplus store and a hot tub supplier.
Almost 60 firefighters were on scene from three stations (#1, #2 & #7) applying water from all angles; as the fire developed in the roof and the walls; in order to prevent it from spreading to near by buildings and homes.
Video 2/2 from a @SydenhamCurrent reader of Thames Street blaze in Chatham🔥 📽https://t.co/M7EeFvfag5 @ckfiredept @CKPSMedia #ckont pic.twitter.com/oXwTDXwye7
— Sydenham Current (@SydenhamCurrent) 14 October 2017
“Luckily fires of this magnitude rarely happen in our community, however it is something that our firefighters train for and are highly skilled in dealing with this type of incident,” stated Chris Case, assistant chief.
“They utilized their aerial apparatus to apply water from above and were able to contain the fire.”
Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services officials say it was a joined operation from fire, police and EMS, who worked closely with municipal services.
The Ministry of the Environment was called to attend to assess any water concerns.
Crews were on scene for 24 hours and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office and Emergency Management.
There were no injuries and all residents have returned to their homes.
“The individuals who were in the store when the fire began, did the right thing, they got out, stayed out and called 911,” added Case.
Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services officials say working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are, by far, the most important devices that you can have in your home when it comes to preventable tragedy.
Minutes and even seconds can make the difference between life and death.
Home Fire Safety Checks are available to all CK residences.
Visit www.ckfire.com or call 519-360-1998 to request one.
– Photo credit: Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services
I call BS on this one. I live on the corner of Barthe and Kent and not one officer has been here.