Five people are in critical condition after a fire at a city-run housing building in London, Ontario. Emergency crews responded to the building at 241 Simcoe St. around 6:30 a.m. Saturday, where they found heavy smoke on the sixth floor. Nine people were taken to the hospital. Five are in critical condition, while others, including an infant, suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Credit: Parasdeep Singh / James Burnard
The fire caused significant damage and forced residents out of about 20 units, leaving many without access to their homes.
A nearby resident said they saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the building.
Black smoke was pouring from the balcony, and fire was shooting from the sliding door, the resident said.
Firefighters were carrying elderly people out of the building, and there were pets sprawled across the lawn.
London and middlesex community housing
Matt Senechal, communications manager with London and Middlesex Community Housing, said cleanup is underway and
displaced residents are being supported.
“We’ve got cleanup efforts going on, and we are staying in touch regularly with all the tenants who have been displaced,” he said.
“We hope that they can return by Wednesday midday.”
Credit: Parasdeep Singh / James Burnard
Senechal said about 20 units were affected, including 19 units on the sixth floor and one unit directly below. He added that an additional small fire caused by debris was quickly put out and did not cause further damage. Senechal said it is difficult to describe how residents are feeling, but the situation may be stressful.
“If it were me experiencing a fire, I imagine it would be a bit of a tense mood in the building,” he said.
The City of London has opened a reception centre at Carling Heights Community Centre to help displaced residents, with support from the Red Cross. Senechal also thanked first responders for their quick response.
“It’s a true tribute to the collaboration we have in the City of London,” he said.
Police say the cause of the fire remains under investigation and is being treated as suspicious until confirmed.
