THUNDER BAY – NEWS – “There should no longer be any excuse for not having working smoke alarms,” said Fire Chief John Hay. “Thunder Bay Fire Rescue has an abundance of public education programs that stress the importance of working smoke alarms, and we also have the SAFE program that assists homeowners with the acquisition or installation of new smoke alarms.”
In less than a three-week period, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue had four fire deaths as a result of three separate fire incidents. The first death occurred on October 15 in a fire at a townhouse on Trillium Way, the second and third death resulted from a mobile home fire on October 28 on Taylor Drive, and the most recent fire death occurred in a house fire on November 3 on Walkover Street.
The four recent fire deaths are the first since 2012 for the City of Thunder Bay. In response to these tragic fire deaths, Fire Chief John Hay wants to emphasize that not having working smoke alarms in your home is simply irresponsible.
Thunder Bay has experienced seven fire deaths in the last 10 years. Over that same period, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue has responded to approximately 1400 structural fires. Early fire detection is a person’s only chance to safely escape a house fire. That early detection can only come from working smoke alarms.
“Both landlords and tenants have a joint responsibility for maintaining smoke and CO alarms,” said Fire Chief John Hay. “In rental units we often see smoke alarms that are disabled, smoke alarms that are installed incorrectly, or smoke alarms that have expired. Thunder Bay Fire Rescue has a zero tolerance policy towards any smoke alarm violation.”
Thunder Bay Fire Rescue reminds residents that only working smoke and CO alarms save lives. Smoke alarms are required on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas. CO alarms are required outside all sleeping areas if your home has a fuel-fired appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage. For more information, residents are encouraged to visit www.thunderbay.ca/fire.
