Fire at Mount Forest retirement community results in order for staff training
An inspection order requiring additional staff training has been issued as a result of a Sept. 8 fire at Birmingham Retirement Community here last week.
Wellington North Fire Chief Dave Guilbault stated in press release issued the following day that Fire Marshal orders were pending as a result of the fire, which required the temporary evacuation of about 40 residents, while about 16 more were secured in a safe location on the third floor.
Guilbault told the Advertiser on Sept. 15 that the retirement facility has a fire safety plan in place and “one of the staff hadn’t followed proper procedures,” during the incident.
“It’s a training issue,” Guilbault explained, noting Birmingham operators are working toward compliance.
“They’re on it,” he said. “The owners are very fire safety conscious - exemplary really.”
Guilbault said the order requires a follow-up inspection within 30 days and he is confident the issue will be dealt with before then.
No one was seriously injured in the fire, which caused an estimated $5,000 in damage, although two residents and one staff member were treated in hospital and released.
Fire officials said the fire was accidental and the cause was cooking-related.
