No injuries reported after Lakewood Dr. fire
- Ron Giofu
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
The Amherstburg Fire Department is stating there were no injuries after a Jan. 20 fire at a home on Lakewood Dr.
Five fire crews from the Amherstburg Fire Department responded to a house fire in the 100 block of Lakewood Drive in Amherstburg at approximately 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20. Crews were on scene for several hours battling the blaze in the Malden lakefront residential area.
Fire chief Michael Mio said firefighters arrived at the residential home with smoke and fire showing upon arrival.
“Crews battled the blaze in -11C degree temperatures with extremely strong winds, creating challenging conditions. Bunker gear, air packs and gloves were almost immediately covered in ice,” said Mio. “Crews were able to contain the fire to the primary residence and prevent spread to a nearby home. Upon arrival, crews mounted an offensive attack however, access was limited due to extensive renovations being done to the home.”
The early damage estimate from the Amherstburg Fire Department is $30,000-$50,000, but Mio said it is hard to get an estimate due to the fire damage.
“The cause of the fire is undetermined due to the extensive renovations and damage caused by the fire. Investigators were not able to enter the residence safely,” said Mio.
Winter Fire Safety Advice
Mio said the Amherstburg Fire Department wants to remind residents that with high winds and extreme cold temperatures in our area to use heating equipment safely.
“Only use heaters that are specifically designed for indoor home heating,” he said. “Never use outdoor heaters, propane heaters, BBQs, or other fuel-burning devices inside your home or garage, as they pose a serious fire and carbon monoxide risk.”
For people using portable electric heaters, they are advised to keep them at least one metre (three feet) away from anything that can burn; plug heaters directly into a wall outlet; do not use extension cords or power bars with heaters; never leave heaters unattended or operating while sleeping; avoid overloading outlets, especially during periods of increased heating use; make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working and have fresh batteries.
“A few simple precautions can prevent fires and keep everyone safe during extreme cold weather,” Mio added.
Applications being accepted for volunteer firefighters
The Amherstburg Fire Department is accepting applications for volunteer firefighters until Feb. 8.
Applicants can be accepted from Amherstburg residents 18 years of age or older. They must have a high school diploma. Applicants are invited to submit a resume to amherstburg.ca/careers no later than 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 8.
By Ron Giofu