Sarnia firefighters put out a blaze at a townhome on Roger Street. March 01, 2023. Photo via @SarniaFire on Twitter.Sarnia firefighters put out a blaze at a townhome on Roger Street. March 01, 2023. Photo via @SarniaFire on Twitter.
Sarnia

UPDATE: No smoke alarms in Sarnia townhouse fire

Damage is estimated at around $50,000 in a townhouse fire near Indian Road and Maxwell Street late Wednesday afternoon.

Crews responded to Roger Street at around 5 p.m. after a fire broke out in an upstairs bedroom of the home.

Education Officer Mike Otis said a neigbour spotted the fire and alerted the lone occupant to leave the site.

"They grabbed their dog and left, [and] there was no working smoke alarms," said Otis. "It was a really quick knockdown so there was no injuries."

Otis said it is law in Ontario to have working smoke alarms on every level of a home and outside of bedrooms.

"The early detection working smoke alarms provide is lifesaving and absolutely essential," he said.

"If you're a homeowner, it's your job to provide and maintain your working smoke alarms. If you rent, it's the landlord's job, but once those alarms are up, you cannot tamper or remove those smoke alarms. If you do, you take on all of the liability and responsibility and fines."

 - With files from Ruby Sweeney

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Photo courtesy of Sarnia Fire Rescue via Facebook.

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