Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services crews returned to 50 Merritt Ave. on Friday, October 30, 2020 to complete an After the Fire Reassurance Campaign.
This was in response to a tragic fire incident on Saturday October 24.
The focus of the program included information from CK’s My Part: Apartment Fire & Emergency Planning, an educational program designed to increase the knowledge of fire safety, evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures for residents living in apartment buildings, fire officials say.
“The loss of a life in such terrible circumstances was a difficult call for the crews that attended the fire on Saturday and the whole department who naturally reflect upon a tragic loss of life,” stated Fire Chief Chris Case, in a media release.
“What we have seen today has been the crews from Chatham return to the apartment block and offer reassurance to the obviously shocked and saddened friends and neighbours of the deceased and an opportunity for them to discuss any concerns and ask questions of their firefighters to ensure the safety of their homes.”
CK Fire teams will continue to work relentlessly to prevent fires and so reduce instances of fire deaths and injuries, fire officials say.
Chief Case encourages the community to talk to the Fire Department about home safety at any time.
If you have a question about fire safety or to book a CHIRP Home Alarm Check email: ckfire@chatham-kent.ca or call us at 519-360-1998.
Chatham-Kent Police Service officials say emergency crews responded to a fire at an apartment building on Merritt Avenue in Chatham on October 24, where the body of a deceased person was found.
A post-mortem was conducted in London and the deceased was identified as 40-year-old Daphne Wilkins, the only tenant of the apartment where the fire started.
The Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office attended the scene to assist with determining the origin and cause of the fire.
At this time, neither the fire or woman’s death are considered suspicious, police officials said.
