An official with the Wellington North Fire Service said a fire at Birmingham Retirement Community on Monday night taxed some emergency resources but ended with no serious injuries.
Acting fire chief Dave Guilbault said firefighters were called to the retirement home at around 8:17pm with a report of a fire in a second floor room.
“It was a challenge in the first 20 minutes,” Guilbault said of the immediate evacuation of the home.
The acting chief said about 16 residents were secured in a safe location on the third floor and another 40 residents were evacuated out of the building.
Three people were treated in hospital and released. Two residents were treated as a result of the fire and smoke and the third for medical reasons, the acting chief said.
Firefighters from Mount Forest were assisted by firefighters from Arthur and Harriston, along with EMS personnel and the OPP. Guilbault said five ambulances were on the scene.
“Firefighters assisted paramedics triaging patients and provided medical aid where required,” said fire prevention officer Jason Benn in a News release.
“Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire, and evacuated residents on all three levels of the west wing.”
Guilbault said damage is estimated at about $5,000 and the cause of the accidental fire was cooking-related.
The acting chief credited emergency workers with quickly getting the fire under control and conducting the evacuation.
“Residents were allowed back in to their respective rooms before 1:30am after air quality tests were completed,” the News released stated. The release also states “Fire marshal orders are pending.”
Mayor Ray Tout, who lives across the street from the nursing home, said neighbours also assisted evacuated residents by supplying blankets to keep them warm.
He estimates about 100 people live at the home on Birmingham Street.
