
CORNWALL – Two apartment fires in the past week are the result of careless smoking.
That determination from fire investigators after a Saturday fire at a nine unit apartment complex on Montreal Road and a fire in a four-plex on First Street East on Monday.
“Both fires will be deemed as careless use of smoking materials,” Fire Chief Pierre Voisine told Cornwall Newswatch.
The fires have left a number of people homeless.
The fire department and health unit launched a task force and a hotline last year to deal with smoking-related fires.
If you or someone you know is at risk of starting a fire you can call the hotline at 613-930-7408 and leave a message.
The fire department will visit the person and educate them on the potential dangers to themselves and others.