THUNDER BAY -- After a fire caused the evacuation of Spence Court on Wednesday night, firefighters are reminding you not to leave candles unattended.
Kevin Anderson, acting division chief of fire prevention, said the cause of the Spence Court fire was a candle left unattended on a bed.
“They had left the candle on the bed and went to the living room and kind of fell asleep,” Anderson said.
“If that working smoke alarm wasn't there, we might have had a different outcome.”
After the occupant was alerted by their smoke alarm, they went out and pulled the building’s fire alarm to let residents know there was a fire.
“The occupant didn't go back in to put out the fire, which we don't recommend.
“But when they went out, the apartment door didn't quite close and some smoke got into the hallway,” Anderson said, adding the importance of closing the door when there’s a fire.
"Closing the door contains the fire," he said.
Firefighters arrived on scene and quickly put out the blaze. They also performed a quick rescue of the person in the neighbouring apartment who had smoke inhalation.
Six pumper trucks responded with one aerial ladder command and some auxiliary units including police and paramedics.
City transit buses arrived to keep residents warm after they were evacuated from the building.
Shortly after the fire was extinguished, the fire-damaged apartment was deemed safe by an electrician and residents were able to return to their apartments.
