It's not clear how long a dozen people evacuated from their apartments last night on Frederica Street will be out of their homes.
Around a dozen people, including two children, were left homeless after a fire broke out around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday night. The Canadian Red Cross is currently providing lodging and food support for 72 hours for those impacted.
Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue responded to an apartment fire above the Shoppers Drug Mart on Frederica and Brown Street. The fire was contained to one unit on the second floor and was extinguished quickly but the apartment suffered fire damage and there was smoke damage throughout the building. A total of seven units were evacuated.
The Fire Department says the blaze was caused by careless disposal of smoking material. During the rapid response, a firefighter suffered a deeply lacerated hand and smoke inhalation and was sent to hospital but has since been released.
The building's corridor will need to be cleaned and the smoke smell removed before people can return to their apartments.
