All residents are safe and accounted for after Sarnia Fire and Police Services responded to a fire late Sunday night at Fairwinds Lodge in Sarnia.
Sarnia Police officials allege emergency services were called in response to a structure fire at the Michigan Avenue retirement residence shortly after 11 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2023, for a fire that began in the building’s north wing.
Police and fire crews conducted a room-by-room search, evacuating all 120 residents from the 113-unit facility.
All Sarnia Fire Services stations were mobilized, with additional support from the Port Huron, Point Edward, and St. Clair Township fire departments.
In total roughly 75 fire fighters responded.
The fire was largely under control as of 1:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 16.
Sarnia Transit buses were mobilized to assist in transporting the residents to temporary shelter provided by Lambton College.
As of 2 a.m. about half of the residents had been relocated with family, and 61 were housed temporarily at the college over night.
It is estimated the remaining residents will be relocated with family, or to alternative housing, by noon on Monday.
“I would like to thank our cross-border partners with the Port Huron Fire Department, neighbouring fire services, EMS, Police, Sarnia Transit, and Lambton College for their quick response and assistance in ensuring all residents were evacuated, accounted for, and sheltered safely,” said Fire Chief Bryan Van Gaver.
Individuals concerned with family members housed at Fairwinds Lodge can call the facility’s management company, Sienna Senior Living, at 1-866-959-4848.
Sarnia Fire Services remains on site and a section of Michigan Avenue, from Murphy Road to Blu Aire Gate, will likely remain closed to traffic into Monday afternoon.
The Ontario Fire Marshal has been called to investigate.
