No working fire alarms were found after a fire at a 6-plex in Chatham.
Firefighters from Station #1 and #2 in Chatham responded to the complex at 15 Sudbury Drive on Wednesday morning, just before 8 a.m.
Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services officials say the tenant living in unit #1 was concerned about heat coming from the upstairs bathroom walls and ceiling.
Crews did an interior search of the attic and found smoke and flames smothering above the location of the bathroom.
Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire and prevented it from spreading to other areas of the unit.
While firefighters were completing their routine checks of alarms, Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services officials say it was discovered that the unit did not have any working smoke alarms.
Crews checked the other units in the complex and the units of the neighbouring complex (19 Sudbury Drive) and found serval alarms were expired or without working batteries.
The rental properties are owned and operated by the same individual.
“It is very clear this incident could have been extremely serious or even had a tragic outcome, had the fire not been discovered when it was,” stated Whitney Burk, public educator, in a press release.
“If community members are concerned about their alarms, they can request a CHiRP Home Alarm Check and we will take a look.”
Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services has ruled the fire accidental, however the investigation continues at the scene.
“Renters need to know their rights,” stated Scott Doman, fire inspector, in a press release.
“It is the landlord’s responsibility to install and maintain working alarms. There is zero tolerance in Ontario for fire code violations.:
Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services say landlords must ensure their rental properties comply with the law under the Ontario Fire Code. Also, tenants need to contact their landlord immediately if they do not have the required number of smoke alarms.
It is against the law for tenants to remove the batteries or tamper with the alarm in any way, Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services say.
Failure to comply with the Fire Code smoke alarm requirements could result in a ticket for $360 or a fine of up to $50,000 for individuals or $100,000 for corporations.
For more information on landlord and tenant rights and responsibility view the Ontario Fire Code, here.
CHiRP Home Fire Safety Checks are available to all CK residences.
Call 519-360-1998 to request one.
– Photo credit: Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services
