Soot surrounds a window at a Kent St. apartment building where fire broke out on Friday, May 26, 2017. Photo by Scott Kitching, Blackburn News.Soot surrounds a window at a Kent St. apartment building where fire broke out on Friday, May 26, 2017. Photo by Scott Kitching, Blackburn News.
London

Tenth Floor Apartment Fire Prompts Evacuation

Firefighters were forced to evacuate a downtown London apartment building after a fire broke out on the tenth floor.

The London Fire Department says on Friday around 3:20pm, fire crews were called to the building at 155 Kent St. and arrived to find smoke and flames billowing out of one of the windows. Fire officials say the blaze was contained to a unit on the tenth floor.

The floor above the unit sustained smoke damage, and the floor below also sustained water damage after a hot water heater inside the apartment split open during the fire.

Damage to the building is estimated at around $200,000.

The cause of the blaze remains unknown at this time, but a fire inspector has attended to the scene to investigate.

As of 6pm, tenants on the first eight floors were permitted to reenter their units.  All tenants will be allowed to return sometime Friday evening, according to fire officials.

Read More Local Stories

New military crosswalk rendering. (Image courtesy of the Sarnia Legion Branch 62)

New military crosswalk in Sarnia to be unveiled

As part of a partnership between the Sarnia Legion Branch 62 and City of Sarnia, an unveiling ceremony will be held at the corner of Christina Street and Wellington Street on Sunday, June 7, at 2 p.m.

Members of the Sarnia Police Service entering a Tashmoo Avenue residence on June 4, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Sarnia Police Service)

Two men arrested in Tashmoo Ave. standoff

Sarnia police said the investigation began on May 29 after the victim was allegedly attacked by acquaintances at a residence near Tashmoo Avenue and Christopher Drive at Aamjiwnaang First Nation.