Details are still limited, as the Ontario Fire Marshal investigates a Tuesday blaze on Dell Street in Wallaceburg.
Chatham-Kent police officials say yesterday afternoon (May 31) at 4:30 p.m. emergency crews responded to a working fire on Dell Street involving a camping trailer.
“The fire rapidly spread to adjoining properties on Dell Street and Old Glass Road however was contained by the quick response of emergency personnel,” stated Const. Renee Cowell, public information officer.
Cowell said no one was injured in the blaze.
“The Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office is on scene today investigating the cause of the fire,” Cowell said.
“More information will be released as it becomes known.”
Chris Case, assistant fire chief, said in a press release that $50,000 damage was caused, while $300,000 worth of property was saved.
“Fire and EMS crews responded to reports of smoke in the vicinity of Dell Street, upon arrival they were met with a significant fire threatening neighbouring homes and other nearby structures,” Case said.
“Crews quickly contained the fire and brought the situation under control in challenging conditions. Police attended to assist and remained on scene whilst Fire Investigators from CKFES began to determine cause.”
Case said the cause was still under investigation.
Nick Sterling, who lives a few houses down, said his wife told him there was a fire while he was getting out of the shower.
“I ran down as quick as I could, it was a camping trailer that was on fire,” he said.
“In a matter of five minutes it was gone and the house ignited and the barns south of the camping trailer.”
Sterling said he was unsure what had caused the blaze, but the homeowner told him it was a generator.
A fire broke out at the same 75 Dell Street location on New Year’s Day last year.
At the time, Ric Scharf, assistant fire chief, said the accidental blaze was caused by “smoking in bed.”
Scharf said $75,000 damage was caused to the residential home.
Doreen Yacks, who lives directly beside the property, said the fire and damage to her home could have been prevented.
“This place had a fire January 2015 and has been sitting vacant ever since and they have just added trailers, vehicles and piles of scrap to the lot,” she said.
“The Municipality has been contacted on several occasions with complaints regarding this property and never had it cleaned up. Unbelievable that they let this go on for one and a half years. Not only was my home damaged but many firefighters were put at risk and I am sure it will cost a lot more for all of the services that were used than it would have cost to clean that mess up.”
Yacks added: “We are very thankful for all of the firefighters that worked so hard to keep our home from burning too.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Constable Gary Oriet at 519-436-6619.
Anonymous callers may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Here is a video we took of the blaze:
Here is our original story, complete with a full photo gallery: House fire on Dell Street in Wallaceburg – Video & Photos
First I’d like to save hats off to the firefighters that risked their lives to battle the blaze!
I do not know Doreen (from the article), but I sympathize with her and agree with her comments in that this could have been prevented.
At least no one was injured.
The town takes it too lightly some of these JUNK houses where the people save everything in their yards and expect us all to have to stare it out our windows. If we let our weeds grow too high oooh better watch out they will spray and send you the bill, but who cares if your house looks like crap. Does that make any sense to you? I know two more in town that should be condemned but that won’t happen until someone is hurt or dies. One is on Wallace St. and we ALL know who’s house that is! That crack house is a major fire waiting to happen!!! Why can’t the town make him clean that place up, you can see the stuff piled almost up to his ceiling now! And what about the one down from Shiloh where the house looks like it’s condemned and there’s 20 crap cars parked there. I didn’t realize we had another scrap yard in town! WHAT A MESS!!!!!
Maybe someone in office needs to drive around and take a good look at what some of the the houses in town are starting to look like.If you can make us cut our grass than why can’t you make them clean up their mess!!!!!!!!!
IN MY OPINION, I agree with you 100%. I’ve been a resident of Wallaceburg for almost 4 years, and the things I see people get away with is crazy. Dirt bikes and ATV’s ripping up and down the roads, among other things. I love a small town atmosphere, but there has to be better enforcement on certain things. If the E.R. Closes I’m moving again.