THUNDER BAY – UPDATE – An early morning house fire at 114 Machar Ave has sent the two occupants to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in an unconscious state, says Platoon Chief Harold Spithoff of Thunder Bay Fire Rescue.
Thunder Bay Fire Rescue update at 10:00 am: At approximately 03:16 during the morning of Jan. 19, 2020 Thunder Bay Fire Rescue responded to a reported structure fire at the 100 block of Machar Ave. Initial calls to 911 indicated that occupants might still be inside the house and that it was believed it was a basement fire. Upon arrival, fire crews encountered very light smoke conditions on the exterior of the structure and upon making entry crews confirmed that smoke was present on the 1st floor level of the home.
A second alarm was requested by on scene Fire Command. Fire fighters wearing self-contained breathing apparatus were able to gain entry quickly and once inside, heavier smoke and moderate heat conditions were encountered. Firefighters quickly located and rescued an unconscious female occupant and she was immediately removed from the home and transferred to EMS. A second fire victim, a male occupant, was also located and rescued and subsequently transported to Regional Hospital with vital signs absent. A deceased dog was also found in the home, the dog is believed to have had succumbed to smoke inhalation. At the time of this statement, the condition of the fire victims is unknown.
The fire is believed to have started on the first floor of the two story home. Fire fighters quickly extinguished the remnants of a “decayed fire” condition as well as ventilated the structure to clear it of smoke. The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time and the scene is being held by police and TBFR investigators while awaiting the arrival of an Ontario Fire Marshall (OFM) fire investigator.
Fire Rescue report that the fire started in a couch, on the main floor of the dwelling. Fire damage was contained to the living room, however, there is smoke damage throughout the home.
Three Pumpers and 1 aerial ladder, were dispatched to this fire. A further 2 Pumpers and a second aerial ladder were dispatched when smoke was visible by first responding units and upgraded fire.
An investigation into this fire is underway.
The family pet succumbed to smoke inhalation.
