CORNWALL – One unit of a multi-unit apartment building on Walton Street has been destroyed after a fire Tuesday afternoon.
Emergency responders were called to the building at the corner of Walton Street and Belmont Street (508 Walton Street) just after 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Fire Chief Matt Stephenson tells Cornwall Newswatch one occupant of the unit had been able to escape the fire but then went back inside to rescue some pets.
“He did run back in and tried to save some pets on his own accord which then caused him some medical distress and he was taken to hospital,” Stephenson said.
The victim was treated for smoke inhalation. Three pets died in the fire.
Stephenson estimates the damage to the entire building is about $80,000. The other three units – two apartments and a business – had some water damage from fighting the fire.
Stephenson says the cause of the fire is undetermined but it was not suspicious.
He also dispelled a neighbourhood rumour that it was the fault of faulty phone chargers.
This is the second house fire in Cornwall in four days, which has the fire chief concerned about making sure people have working smoke alarms in their dwellings.
“Again, we’re just making mention of the need for residents to ensure operational smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms within their dwelling units,” Stephenson said.
“When we continue to see these types of things in our community with absent or non-functioning alarms it’s again very concerning,” the chief said. “We beg you, continue to monitor and ensure you have operational detection within your home.”