The source of smoke on the forth floor of a retirement residence in Cobourg was quickly found on March 18, 2019.
At approximately 1:40 p.m. Cobourg Fire Department responded to an automatic alarm at Cobourg Retirement Residence at 310 Division Street.
“As we were responding we were told there was smoke possibly showing on the forth floor so we upped it to our highest level so all that all firefighters could come to the scene,” said Captain Chris Brown.
Two firefighters went inside the building and determined the cause of the smoke was a space heater, “that had overheated due to some debris that was actually in the space heater itself.”
Brown commended staff at the retirement staff for evacuating individuals where the smoke was coming from and took them beyond the fire doors to an area of refuge.
“They did a great job and all occupants were safe at all times.”
“Things like space heaters, and for that matter even smoke alarms should be vacuumed periodically to keep the dust and debris clear from the machinery itself.”
Division Street was closed for approximately 30 minutes by Cobourg Police while fire crews were on scene.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
