Fire on Prospect Street causes $25,000 damage
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Tillsonburg Fire and Rescue Services responded to a Tillsonburg call Wednesday, July 2, at approximately 7 p.m.
Upon arrival at 4-6 Prospect Street, fire crews observed smoke coming out of a basement apartment. Crews entering the basement unit encountered heavy smoke conditions. The fire was quickly brought under control with no injuries to residents or firefighters.
The investigation concluded the cause of the fire was a faulty electrical appliance. Fire losses were estimated at $5,000 to the apartment contents and $20,000 to the building.
Approximately 20 Tillsonburg firefighters attended the incident, with mutual aid from Norfolk County Station No. 6 (Courtland). Oxford County paramedics attended the scene as well as Oxford OPP.
Of the 12 apartments in the building, three apartments did not have working smoke alarms.
"Working smoke alarms are vital for the early warning of a fire in your residence," said Fire Chief Jeff Smith. "Had this happened later at night when the occupant was home and asleep, this could very easily have been a fatal fire.
"It is not only the law, but essential for occupant safety that a working smoke alarm be located on every level of your home and outside of all sleeping areas."
Charges are pending under 6.3.3.4 of Division B of the Ontario Fire Code for the intentional disabling of a smoke alarm.
To view fire incident information in real time, visit the website at https://symposium-live.com/system/events/index/TillsonburgDispatch.