Two occupants treated for smoke inhalation; pets safely rescued from the blaze

Thunder Bay, ON – Thunder Bay Fire Rescue (TBFR) was called to a house fire on Fort William First Nation just after midnight on October 13th, 2024. Firefighters arrived to find significant flames and smoke coming from the residence, forcing crews to battle the fire from the exterior using multiple hose lines.

Two occupants were assessed on-site by paramedics for possible smoke inhalation, with one resident having attempted to put out the fire before crews arrived. Both were released at the scene. During the response, firefighters also rescued two pets from the house.

A total of four Pumper trucks and a Command Unit were deployed to control the fire, while Anishinabek Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) managed traffic and crowd control.

TBFR has determined that the fire originated from cooking, and no further investigation is underway. The fire department is urging residents to prioritize their safety during house fires by calling 911 immediately and evacuating the premises instead of attempting to fight the fire themselves.