THUNDER BAY - The cause of a fire in an East End neighbourhood that saw three people briefly trapped in a second-story residence is under investigation by Thunder Bay Police.
Thunder Bay Fire Rescue responded to a home on the corner of Connolly and McLaughlin Streets at approximately 10 p.m. on Saturday after a passerby noticed a fire at the back of the residence.
“They got to a fire at the back of the residence outside,” said Thunder Bay Fire rescue fire prevention officer, Kevin Anderson. “The main floor people came out through the front, but the second floor people because that was their exit out, it was blocked, they had to quickly remove the people so they used the ladders at the front of the house to get the three individuals out safely.”
A mother and two young children were rescued from the home and did not suffer any injuries. The fire at the back was quickly extinguished.
“The fire was contained to the outside of the house, so other than a little bit of smoke, the fire did not get into the house,” Anderson said.
The investigation into the cause of the fire has been handed over to Thunder Bay Police after witnesses said someone was in the area before the fire was started.
“It was determined the fire was caused under the steps at the rear of the home,” Anderson said. “There was some garbage and cardboard and other combustibles that started it. It was very close to the sidewalk. It looks like someone set it up by either a cigarette or something had to have started it because there was no other source of ignition in the area.”
According to Anderson, fire crews always perform a sweep of a building to ensure everyone is out safe before attacking the fire.
Anderson added it is also important to ensure all exits from a building are accessible and free of combustible materials.
“We always want to try to get two exits out,” he said. “Windows are one and a common way out. If you have only one exit to ground level, you want to be extra careful that there’s not combustibles around that area that could be set on fire.”
