THUNDER BAY – An early morning fire has left one person in critical condition in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. The fire, which is under investigation by Thunder Bay Fire Rescue and Thunder Bay Police who are also working with a fire investigator from the Office of the Fire Marshal to determine the origin, cause and circumstances of this fire.
TBFR was able to quickly assemble sufficient firefighters on the scene to initiate simultaneous fire attack and rescue of a trapped victim. Some of the occupants reported barely making it out of the building, literally escaping through the smoke with flames over their heads.
Once rescued from the fire, the victim was cared for by Superior EMS paramedics and is now reported to be in the Intensive Care Unit of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in stable but critical condition.
Deputy Chief Greg Hankkio reinforced the importance of landlords ensuring their properties are properly equipped with working smoke alarms. “Landlords need to ensure that working smoke alarms are properly installed and maintained. This includes keeping appropriate records”.
The investigation of this fire will look into the origin and cause as well as an examination of the fire code compliance of this property and will review the use of the building which was occupied by 6-10 international students and is not known to be a properly approved or configured rooming house.
