THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay Fire & Rescue (TBFR) responded to a multiple alarm structure fire on the 500 block of Wiley Street in the south end of the city at approximately 7:00 pm EDT Friday evening.
Initial reports from Fire dispatch indicated that a youth occupant was possibly trapped inside the burning home.
Upon arrival by initial fire crews, heavy flame and smoke conditions were encountered from a second-floor bedroom fire. TBFR crews immediately employed a transitional fire attack to knock down the heavy flames on the second floor within 2 minutes of arriving on the scene.
District Chief John Kaplanis says, Quick and aggressive efforts by fire crews were followed by an interior search of the second floor and remaining levels of the structure. This was to ensure all occupants were out of the home and to prevent fire extension from damaging the rest of the occupancy”.
“It was later confirmed that one youth occupant who was home alone at the time of the blaze, managed to evacuate from the home however the youth was taken from the scene by paramedics to receive medical treatment for smoke inhalation injuries,” adds Kaplanis.
TBFR remained on scene to secure the home for fire investigators to do further follow up to determine fire cause. Fire damage to the home was heavy on the second floor however firefighters managed to prevent fire extension to other parts of the home.
A total of 6 pumper/rescue trucks, 1 aerial ladder, and 1 Command vehicle were required at this incident to bring it under control.
