Clarence Street landlord fined for fire code violations

North Bay Fire Prevention Officer Randy Vezina reports that a Clarence Street landlord was handed a $3,390 fine Monday for fire code violations.

Vezina says the issue came to light when his office was contacted by firefighters answering a carbon monoxide alarm.

“They entered the building and the captain noticed what he thought were fire code violations,” says Vezina.

He explains that the onus is now on the captains who visit a scene to report their suspicions to the Fire Prevention office.

“As a result of the report Fire Prevention Officer Joe Gardiner started his own investigation.”

“He determined that there were fire code violations. There were improper fire separations, hollow core doors, proper doors can hold a fire at bay up to at least 20 minutes, and as well the doors did not have approved hydraulic door closers, along with a number of other violations.”

Vezina says that as a result of Gardiner’s investigation they also determined that the basement apartment in the residence is a violation of the zoning bylaw.

“The area is zoned R1 and doesn’t allow for basement apartments and zoning has stepped in. Statutory requirements in this situation require Joe Gardiner to issue a Fire Marshal’s order and the Electrical Safety Authority will now attend and inspect the property.”

Vezina says the manufacturing of illegal basement apartments is far too common.

“They don’t consult with the building and zoning office so they don’t get the proper consultations and then they don’t have the proper permits.”

“And this is dangerous ... electrical service for single dwelling homes are only designed to feed one dwelling that means on stove and one fridge,” he states.

“And then we encounter homemade wiring and dangerous ceiling levels and the potential for fire is there.”

Vezina says that eventually Fire Prevention catches up with landlords who are breaking the law, be it when they get a complaint from a disgruntled tenant or just answering a fire alarm, but he hopes it is well before they have a fatality due to the violators.