Flames shot out of the windows at an Alexis Road home between Vimy and Ypres Thursday.
“We had reports that everyone was out of the house, so Engine 20 was going in for an offensive attack and reported that there was a hole in the floor,” said District Captain Jack Bailey.
He quickly evacuated the firefighters who went into a defensive mode. Two firefighters on a ladder cut into the side of the house fueling the flames, which created a spectacular display of smoke that overwhelmed residents on the east side of the street as the fire began to burn through.
“Two people displaced. One patient was transported to the hospital to withstand with some injuries,” Bailey told CTV News.
The fire is under investigation. Cause is undetermined with damaged pegged at upwards of $500,000.
This is the latest in a rash of four fires in the last few days. A fire on Askin Avenue claimed a life on Wednesday. The cause of the blaze is undetermined resulting in over $500,000 of damage.
“It is structurally unsafe,” Chief Prevention Officer Mike Coste said of the integrity of the Askin home.
“The floors are collapsed. The ceiling collapsed so we’re not going to put people at risk.”
The identity of the victim is still unknown. These two fires were preceded by one on Kennedy Drive in South Windsor on Monday, which was deemed accidental.
“We had the one over on McKay, which was accidental. We have our suspicions on Askin, but I’m not going to say. This one here I don’t know nothing about,” Coste said.
Bailey added that there’s no rhyme or reason to the fires.
“When it happens, it happens. And that’s what we’re here for,” said Bailey.
Windsor Fire is reminding residents to be careful while cooking and be aware of lit candles and cigarettes.
“Make sure you have working smoke alarms and make sure you have working carbon monoxide alarms,” Coste said.
“This is what detects things early. This is what gets our crews here early and if we get in there, those help us the best.”
