Highlighting the importance of Ontario Fire Code

Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
News Release

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The two owners of Muskoka Heights Retirement residence in Orillia, where four people died as a result of a January fire, have been charged with seven violations under the Ontario Fire Code.

After a comprehensive fire investigation, the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) has concluded that the cause of the fire has been classified as undetermined and that there were contraventions to the Ontario Fire Code. As a result of these findings, Orillia Fire Department has charged the property owners with:

Failure to ensure original or a copy of records be retained at the building premises;

Failure to ensure exterior passageway or fire escape in occupied building be maintained;

Failure to ensure supervisory staff be instructed in the fire emergency procedures as described in the fire safety plan before given any responsibility for fire safety;

Failure to implement the fire safety plan provisions for conducting the required monthly tests of the building’s fire alarm system;

Failure to prominently post and maintain on each floor area at least one copy of the fire emergency procedures;

Failure to implement the fire safety plan provisions for conducting fire drills for supervisory staff; and,

Failure to conduct annual maintenance and testing of portable extinguishers.

The OFM’s investigation looked at many factors that contributed to the fire including building performance, fire prevention records, staff and occupant behaviour and fire safety planning and evacuation. Based on these findings, an investigative report will be sent to the Ontario Fire Marshal for review. Once reviewed, the Fire Marshal will provide his recommendations to enhance fire safety in these facilities to the Ontario government.

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“This fire demonstrates the importance of ensuring that these facilities comply with the Ontario Fire Code,” said Ontario Fire Marshal Pat Burke. “The Code provides the minimum level of fire safety in existing buildings to ensure they are safe in which to live and work.”

“The Orillia Fire Department is committed to the safety of its citizens,” said Orillia Fire Department Chief Ralph Dominelli. “We will continue to work with building owners and operators to ensure they understand their responsibilities with respect to fire safety and emergency planning.”

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