Residents are being reminded to ensure they have working smoke alarms and home escape plans as emergency crews respond to structure fires this holiday.
“St. Clair Fire would like to remind everyone that working smoke alarms can help save lives,” the department posted, following a blaze at a home on St. Clair Parkway on Dec. 25.
Firefighters from three stations responded to the scene, “and immediately commenced fire attack and search and rescue operations,” the department noted, adding that no injuries were reported, and two cats were saved from the home.
On Dec. 27, the Sarnia Professional Firefighters Association posted a photo of crews on the scene of a structure fire in the 300 block of Davis Street. No injuries were reported.
“Ontario law requires that working smoke alarms be installed on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas,” St. Clair Fire added. “In addition to smoke alarms, developing and practicing a home fire escape plan is your best chance of surviving a fire in your home.”
Last holiday season (Nov. 2021 to Jan. 2022) saw 24 residential fatal fires resulting in 32 residential fire deaths across Ontario, according to the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM), noting that 33 per cent of residential fire deaths occur during the months of November, December, and January.