Clarington Fire Chief speaks out about fire safety following two house fires in two days

Clarington July 7, 2020/- Following two fires in as many days, Clarington Fire Chief, Gord Weir, is reminding residents to be extra careful and vigilant to prevent accidents and house fires.

“As people continue to work from home, it’s crucial that fire safety is top of mind. Don’t use flowerpots to put out your cigarettes, ensure that you have proper wiring and don’t use extension cords to help fix wiring issues. Ensure that any propane tanks are safely stored outdoors in a dry and well-ventilated area,” said Chief Weir.

The message comes in the wake of a house fire in Courtice on Sunday and a fire in Bowmanville on Monday. Fire crews received the emergency call at 7:27 a.m. and responded to a house fire in Courtice. All residents were able to evacuate the home safely. It took 27 firefighters 90 minutes to gain control of the fire and put it out. One firefighter was treated and released as a result of an injury. There was extensive damage to the back of the house. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.

The emergency call for the fire in Bowmanville came in at 2:40 p.m. on Monday. Both residents of the home and a pet made it out safely. The fire started outside near a gazebo structure and quickly spread to the back of the home. Twenty-three firefighters responded to help put out the fire. The cause is yet to be determined.

“Please make sure that you have working smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas and install carbon monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas. These can save lives,” added Chief Weir.

For a complete guide on fire safety and how to protect yourself and your family, visit www.clarington.net/firesafety.

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Media Contact:
Basia Radomski
Communications Manager
905-623-3379 ext. 2214