Cornwall Care Center shut down over fire concerns

The Care Centre at 510 Second Street East in Cornwall, Ont. (Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston, File)

CORNWALL – Fire authorities have temporary closed The Care Center over fire safety concerns, displacing the residents who live there.

In a statement Thursday, Cornwall Fire Services says it conducted safety inspections on the building at 510 Second Street East and “identified numerous serious fire safety violations of the Ontario Fire Code.”

After getting the okay from the Ontario Fire Marshal, CFS has closed the property and “will continue to work with the owner to ensure the…issues…are addressed.”

CFS claims it was acting on “complaints related to the fire safety of the building.”

The department did not elaborate on what are those alleged violations or concerns, though the city notice reminds “all Cornwall residents to…have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms installed and have practiced home escape planning.”

The city’s Command Center vehicle is on site and the social services department is helping residents find alternate housing in the interim.

If you are a tenant and in need of housing, call 613-933-6282 extension 2309.