In the wake of a blaze that claimed the life of a Chatham man, Chatham-Kent fire crews recently returned to the area of St. George and Park streets to complete an after-the-fire reassurance campaign.
Firefighters responded to the tragic fire last Tuesday on St. George Street, where four people were taken to hospital and one person died at the scene.
“The tragic events of Tuesday night not only remind us of the dangers of fires in the home but also the impacts it has on families and communities,” Fire Chief Chris Case said in a release.
“We wanted to return to the area to provide support and reassurance to the community – answering questions, providing advice, and most importantly offering home safety checks. The response from the community was overwhelming and we will continue to work in all communities in Chatham-Kent to protect homes.”
Floyd Selby, 43, was identified by loved ones on social media as the victim in the fire.
A vigil was held in his memory on Friday night, while the WISH Center continued to collect gift cards for the survivors.
The cause of the blaze is yet to be determined, with the Ontario Fire Marshal still investigating.
During the reassurance campaign, crews visited 10 blocks of homes and completed almost 60 CHiRP fire alarm checks. They tested hundreds of alarms, replacing old and installing 59 new smoke alarms and seven carbon monoxide alarms.
Multiple fire trucks lined the streets of Chatham’s east Side, while a dozen firefighters went door-to-door offering support, talking about fire safety.
“Residents who were not home at the time of our visit were left with a CHiRP doorhanger with our contact information,” community safety officer Whitney Burk said. “They are encouraged to contact us, and we can book a time to come back and check their alarms.”
For more information about fire safety, or to book a CHIRP home alarm check, visit ckfire.ca, email [email protected] or call 519-360-1998.