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UPDATE: Emergency crews respond to fire at District Jail

Emergency crews responded to a fire at the Thunder Bay District Jail on Tuesday afternoon. Hospital declares brief Code Orange, calling it off when the situation no longer called for it.

THUNDER BAY — Four inmates are being held in segregation at the Thunder Bay District Jail, after allegedly lighting a fire that sent thick smoke billowing through the century-old facility on Tuesday afternoon. 

A source tells tbnewswatch.com that several other inmates were treated for smoke inhalation on scene by responding emergency crews, and Thunder Bay Transit bus was brought to the MacDougall Street facility as a precaution should an evacuation had been required. 

An alarm could be heard ringing as crews doused the fire. 

The source said they weren't sure what was lit on fire, but it was likely blankets or a mattress. They added the fire could be a response to the jail being on lockdown all weekend long.

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre declared a Code Orange as a result of the fire, with the expectation of a high-volume of patients arriving. Within half an hour the Code Orange was called off when the number of patients expected was significantly reduced. 

"Today's incident demonstrates that our hospital is well prepared to respond to a community disaster," said Thunder Bay Regional CEO Jean Bartkowiak.

"We were ready to accept large numbers of emergency patients with high acuity, and I am extremely proud of the entire hospital team, and our community partners for the actions taken today." 



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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