Expert stressed the importance of having Smoke Detector on every level of a home

Expert stressed the importance of having Smoke Detector  on every level of a home.

Structure fire calls in Welland, Canada doubled in 2020, says Fire Chief Adam Eckhart.

“We had 74 calls for structure fires in 2019 and 149 last year,” said the new head of Welland Fire and Emergency Services.

The increase in structure fires in 2020 is not unique to Welland. Eckhart said it’s a trend seen across the province.

With more people working from home due to the pandemic, Eckhart speculated some could be caused by people being forgetful or not as careful as they should be in their residences.

Structure fires in Welland ranged from residential homes to multi-unit buildings.

There were no fatalities in 2020, but some residents went to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and other injuries.“ We have seen an increase in injuries as the result of fires,” he said.

The chief said there were instances across the city where working smoke detectors alerted residents, waking them up and allowing them to escape fires in their homes.

He stressed the importance of having smoke detectors  on every level of a home.

“Early notification helps residents get out and helps the fire department respond quicker. That reduces the risk to residents, neighbors and property damage. Alarms make a difference.”

And with today’s fires, every second counts when it comes to safely getting out.

“People only have a couple of minutes to get outside now with the fuel load in homes.” Eckhart said materials used in household furniture are part of the fuel load and cause fires to burn hotter and faster.

Firefighters stressed the importance of working Fire Alarm 

TORONTO — One person is dead after a fire broke out at a residence in North York on Wednesday evening (Jan 07 2020).

Toronto Fire said they received a call about the blaze near Norfinch Drive and Steeles Avenue West at approximately 5 p.m. When emergency crews arrived on scene, they said they observed smoke coming from inside the front and the side of the house.

Firefighters told CP24 that the fire appears to have originated in the basement of the property.

He added that the home, which houses multiple tenants, was not equipped with working fire alarms.

“We’d like to remind people to make sure their smoke detectors are working, especially at this time of year,” he said.