A brother and sister stood waiting for any news after their mother was missing after fire engulfed the
Northumberland County Housing Corporation Housing apartment complex on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Emergency services were called to the complex at approximately 4:06 a.m. for alarms sounding.
The complex has approximately 20 apartments and all but one of the occupants were accounted for.
As Cramahe Fire Department was responding, they were notified there was smoke in the building located at 8 King Street West in Colborne.
When fire crews arrived, there was heavy smoke and flames coming from the west side of the building with flames also coming through the roof.
As heavy machinery was brought in to remove parts of the building to get at spot fires, Joey Matteer and his sister waited for any word on Friday about their mother who had been missing since the fire.
Prior to fire crews arrival on Friday morning, Matteer who lives on Little Lake Road received a call from one of his mothers friends saying the building she and Matteer’s mother lives in was on fire.
The woman asked if Matteer’s mother was with him – she wasn’t.
Matteer’s mother has lived in the complex for approximately 13-years.
Rushing to the scene, Matteer kept calling his mother, but there was no answer.
“As soon as we arrived, I rushed inside the building to the second floor,” where his mother lives.
Matteer said there was heavy smoke throughout the hallway.
Feeling with his hands, Matteer knew his mom’s apartment door was three doors down from the stairs on the second floor.
“On the second floor, you couldn’t see a hand in front of your face.”
“I was kicking open tenants doors and I made it to my mom’s door.”
“I knew my moms apartment so I was able to feel my way down.”
And when he got to her door, he kicked the door in, but flames just shot out the door towards him.
“The flames were coming out the bottom of the door. I kicked the door down, but I couldn’t get through to my mom. I caved her door right in and there were flames coming right out into the hallway. The apartment was fully engulfed.”
I felt my way back down the hallway to get out because you couldn’t see anything.”
“It was just pure, black smoke.”
Going around to the back of the complex Matteer climbed up to the second storey balcony kicking in another back door to a tenants apartment to make sure they were out of the building.
Matteer said fire alarms were going off throughout the building.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., 12-hours after the fire was reported a body was discovered in the fire. The body will be taken to the Centre of Forensic Sciences to determine the cause of death.
Brighton, Alnwick/Haldimand and Trent Hills Fire Services were also dispatched to the scene.
Cramahe Township Fire Chief Matt Halmasy said crews made an aggressive interior attack on the second floor, but the ceiling and roof were starting to collapse and the firefighters had to fight the fire from the outside on a exterior attack.
Two people were rescued by firefighters from their second floor balconies.
By late afternoon an investigator with the Office of the Fire Marshal along with OPP investigators were on scene and heavy equipment was brought in to take apart the building to extinguish hot spots.
Halmasy said it was a very challenging fire.
“We were hit with three water main breaks, -25 with the wind chill it was probably equivalent to -30, a pumper froze up, hoses froze up. Working in these conditions is extremely challenging.”
When the three water mains broke, Halmasy said they “switched over” to rural water supply by having portable water tanks, and tanker trucks shuttling the water.
Halmasy said firefighters did the best they could with the initial primary search under extremely challenging conditions.
One firefighter was injured during the initial primary search, another firefighter was injured on the outside, and a third firefighter had smoke inhalation.
NCHC Board Chair Cathy Borowec states “On behalf of the Board of the Northumberland County Housing Corporation, I want to convey that our thoughts are with the family and friends of the individual yet unaccounted for as they wait for news of their loved one. I also wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the many tenants who have lost their homes, and to all those affected by this tragic incident.”
Paramedics have transported four individuals to hospital with non-life-threatening concerns, including three firefighters and one tenant.
Roads in the immediate vicinity of the fire remain closed to support emergency operations. All other roads, including all County roads, remain open.
Approximately 20 people have been displaced as a result of the fire. Social Services staff will continue working closely with tenants to identify alternative accommodation options.
Evacuation Centre
The County’s Social Services team immediately activated its emergency response this morning and opened the Keeler Centre in Colborne as an evacuation centre. Partners with the Red Cross and the Ontario Community Emergency Assistance Program (OCEAP) have been notified and will be providing coordination support for this centre. Residents affected by the fire can visit the centre to access supports— 80 Division Street, Colborne.
Approximately 15 people are using the evacuation centre, along with seven pet dogs and cats.
Social Services Caseworkers are onsite providing direct support to tenants, including assistance with immediate needs and next steps. As many residents were forced to leave belongings behind, this includes coordinating access to phones so individuals can notify family and friends of their safety.
Northumberland Paramedics Community Paramedicine service is onsite providing non-emergency health supports.
The County Facilities team has been transporting residents to the centre and purchasing immediate supplies, including hygiene items, food, clothing, and pet necessities.
Donations
Our sincere thanks to the many community members who have been asking about how to provide donations and support. For more information, please contact Julie Kennedy, Northumberland County Community and Social Services, at: 905-372-3329 ext. 2486 or kennedyj@northumberland.ca.
County Warden Bob Crate states “On behalf of County Deputy Warden Mandy Martin, Mayor of Cramahe Township, along with all members of County Council, I want to share our deepest sympathies with all those affected by this terrible fire. During this incredibly difficult time, please know that your community stands with you in solidarity.”
The Warden continues “I would also like to take this moment to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many individuals and organizations who have come together in response to this emergency:
· Police, Fire, and Paramedic services, who responded rapidly, ensured the building was evacuated, and continue to battle extreme cold conditions to fight the fire and keep tenants and the community safe;
· Donna Rusaw Black Dress Catering, Downey’s Pharmacy, and the Colborne Food Bank, who quickly coordinated this morning to provide food for first responders and evacuees;
· Our Red Cross and OCEAP partners, who activated quickly and are providing coordination and support at the evacuation centre; and
· County and Cramahe Township staff across multiple departments, who have been on scene since the beginning of this incident, supporting tenants and families during this hour of need.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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
