The North Bay Fire Department says a tenant cooking french fries was the cause of Monday afternoon’s structure fire at 113 Manitou Street in West Ferris.
All three stations responded to the fire.
“Upon arrival fire crews encountered heavy smoke and fire in the townhouse unit,” said Deputy Chief Greg Saunders.
“The tenant explained that he had placed a pot of oil on the stove to heat for the purpose of cooking French fries. He then went upstairs to take a shower and forgot he had turned on the stove.”
Saunders says the man was alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm sounding downstairs.
“He came out of the bathroom to a hallway filled with smoke,” said Saunders.
“He alerted the children in their bedrooms and safely evacuated the building.”
Saunders says fire crews quickly suppressed the fire and limited the damage to the unit of origin.
“Unfortunately, the unit had already suffered significant damage from the fire and smoke,” said Saunders.
“Near North Victim services attended the incident and is making certain that the tenants and their children are looked after. North Bay Paramedics were on scene to provide emergency medical care should it have been required.”
The North Bay Fire Department reminds everyone that unsafe cooking practices are the number one cause of structure fires and fire deaths in Ontario.
“If you are cooking with oil do not ever leave it unattended,” said Saunders.
“This incident serves as yet another reminder that properly maintained, properly located smoke alarms save lives.”
