Residents evacuated from a Tillsonburg apartment building Tuesday after an early-morning fire were briefly allowed home to grab some essential items but will likely be displaced for several weeks, fire officials say.
Residents evacuated from a Tillsonburg apartment building Tuesday after an early-morning fire were briefly allowed home to grab some essential items but will likely be displaced for several weeks, fire officials say.
“There is significant water damage to units on the lower floors, and smoke damage throughout the building,” Tillsonburg fire Chief Shane Caskanette said.
“We have conducted a preliminary walkthrough and will be allowing some residents into the building to retrieve medication, eye glasses and other essentials, but residents will likely be out of their units for the next several weeks.”
The town’s building department placed an “unsafe building” order on the apartment complex, which means structural engineers will need to inspect the property, Caskanette added.
“They need … to have a look because of the fire load that was in that (fourth-floor) unit, so they’re not going to let folks back in there until they deem it structurally sound and, then, obviously, make the repairs required for it to be habitable.”
The hallways and stairwells, especially on the fourth to sixth floors, had filled with smoke during the blaze. Firefighters had to rescue about 18 residents from the building’s balconies using a ladder truck.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Ontario Fire Marshal, while contacted, “opted not to come down,” Caskanette said.
“It will be investigated through the (Tillsonburg) fire department. I would say it would probably be within two weeks,” the chief added.
While most residents have found temporary accommodation with family and friends, the Salvation Army in Tillsonburg and Woodstock, as well as Oxford County’s human services department, are prepared to assist where necessary.
“We don’t know when we go back what our clothes situation will be, our furniture situation,” said Matt Weber, a fifth-floor resident Tuesday morning.
After talking with other residents at the 195 Lisgar Ave. building, the damage sounded extensive, Weber said.
Residents have already begin reaching out for support, said a Tillsonburg Salvation Army spokesperson.
“We’ve had one person already contact us directly so far,” Lieut. Drew Young said, “and they will be coming back later (Wednesday) to get different things they need.”
The Salvation Army is helping those affected by the fire with material supports, including food and other essential items.
“We will provide help with clothing vouchers, and we are already partnering with the Salvation Army in Woodstock,” said Young. “We have other goods here, so if you need toiletries, or if you have children and their care stuff has been destroyed, we have that.”
The main point of contact for those displaced by the fire is Victims Assistance Services of Oxford County, said Lisa Lanthier, manager of human services with Oxford County.
“They get their names – their information – (and) they try to provide whatever they might need immediately,” Lanthier said. “They are there for emotional support and then our role is to make sure all of the community agencies are supported. … In the event that people find themselves unable to secure accommodations due to financial resources, we would make sure that people are able to find appropriate and suitable accommodation while they are away from their apartment. So people can just contact our office and we will see to it that they are well managed and looked after.
“We want to make sure no one is left out on the streets searching for somewhere to stay as a result of a fire.
The Town of Tillsonburg Emergency Control Group was activated Tuesday, providing 39 people with temporary shelter and assistance at the Tillsonburg Community Centre.
Deputy Mayor Dave Beres expressed town council’s appreciation to fire communications staff, emergency services personnel, Oxford provincial police, county paramedics and other agencies that helped in the response, including firefighters from Courtland and Brownsville stations.
“Apartment fires are always challenging given the number of people involved, but everyone pulled together today in an efficient and effective response,” said Beres. “Town staff did a great job running the reception centre, and the communication between community agencies was outstanding.”
The last high-rise apartment fire in Tillsonburg occurred April 18, 2021.
“These incidents should remind all of us that emergencies can happen at any time,” said Vanessa Devolin, assistant chief of communications and administration. “Fires do happen. It’s important to have a working smoke alarm, practice your escape route and ensure everyone in your household knows what to do in the event of an emergency.”