Fire Leads to Smoke Alarm Ticket
A fire on June 23, 2009 in a second floor suite of the McGibbon Hotel resulted in a ticket being issued to the tenant of the suite for intentionally removing the smoke alarm in his suite.
Fire crews responded to a report of smoke conditions and alarm bells ringing in this three level building. When they arrived, smoke was visible on the second and third floors and the building had been evacuated.
Firefighters made quick access into the unit finding smoke in the suite and hallway. Upon entering they found a small burn mark on the floor and the fire had been extinguished. The fire loss is limited to the burnt linoleum floor and burn marks on a fridge door. The cause of the fire is the inappropriate disposal of smoking materials into a plastic bag. There was no working smoke alarm found in the unit. A review of the incident with the tenant found that he had placed cigarette butts into a plastic bag and left it on the floor of his room. He left the room for a short period of time.
Upon returning he found his room filled with smoke and the plastic bag with its contents smoldering on the floor. He subsequently took action to extinguish the fire. When the tenant had opened the door to his room this released the smoke from his room into the hallway causing the building fire alarm to be activated.
Further investigating into the incident found that the tenant had disabled and removed the smoke alarm in his unit prior to the incident and had placed it on the floor. The removal of this smoke alarm prevented early detection of this incident putting the lives of all the other residents at risk. The tenant further revealed he had intentionally disabled and removed the smoke alarm unit because it was activating when he smoked in his room.
This incident had the potential to cause personal injury, loss of life and greater fire damage. The lives of all the occupants of this building were put at risk when the smoke alarm was disabled and removed. As a result, a ticket with a fine of $235 was issued to the tenant.
A subsequent inspection of other units in this building was done to ensure working smoke alarms were provided by the building owner. The owner of this building has been very cooperative with fire department inspection staff to ensure fire safety in his building.
The Ontario Fire Code requires working smoke alarms in every level of a dwelling unit and near each sleeping area. This applies to residential homes as well as rental units. Building owners are required to ensure there is a working smoke and that they are maintained. Building owners who fail to provide a working smoke alarm and anyone who disables or removes a smoke alarm is in violation of the Ontario Fire Code. Violations of the above provisions can result in prosecutions with fines up to $50,000 for an individual or $100,000 for corporations and possible imprisonment.
The Halton Hills Fire Protection and Prevention Services is serious about the installation and maintenance of working smoke alarms. They provide an early warning from fire allowing sufficient time to escape from the building. Building owners who fail to provide working smoke alarms and individuals who disable a working smoke alarm will not be tolerated. The actions of these individuals put others lives at risk and will be dealt with within the provisions of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act and the Ontario Fire Code.
Fire Chief Brent Marshall states, “Working smoke alarms are the single most important life safety tool in your home. For an item that can cost as little as $10 there is no excuse for not have a working smoke alarm. The responsibility to have working smoke alarms is everyone’s responsibility. Home owners, landlords and tenants will be held accountable.”
Chief of Prevention and Public Education Harry Olivieri, would like to invite any homeowner, building owner, tenant or citizen who has any questions or concerns about the smoke alarm provisions of the Ontario Fire Code to contact him at (905) 873-2601 ext 2102.
Posted: Jun. 30, 2009 Under: Halton Hills Permanent Link to this Article
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Theft at the Ministry of Transportation in Georgetown
The Halton Regional Police Service has made an arrest in a theft that occurred at the Ministry of Transportation office at 28 Main Street, in Georgetown.
On June 24th shortly before 2:00 pm 3 males entered the transportation office. The 3 males began to talk with the female attendant, when the attendant turned her back two of the suspects jumped up on the counter and grabbed several Ministry documents.
The 3 suspects fled the office but were pursued by two Ministry of Transportation staff members. The employees managed to catch up to one of the suspects and held him for police.
The two other suspect’s involved in the theft were seen getting into a Silver Sport Utility Vehicle to make their escape.
Some, but not of all of the stolen documents were recovered at the scene. There were no injuries.
Charged is Rafay YASIR, 24 years from Mississauga. YASIR has been charged with Theft Under $5000 and as a result of an investigation after his arrest YASIR has been charged with Possession of Counterfeit Mark and Possession of a Counterfeit Credit Card. He will appear in Burlington court on the 20 July 2009.
The Halton Regional Police Service is continuing to investigate this incident. Anyone with information related to it is asked to contact the Milton Criminal Investigations Bureau at (905) 825-4777 Ext 2415 or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Posted: Jun. 29, 2009 Under: News Permanent Link to this ArticleCadets Canada, Michael Chong
Summer is now upon us. Students will be home from school, and many parents will now be wondering what their children could do for the summer holidays. One option is to have them join the largest youth organization in Canada, Cadets Canada. Cadets is a national program for youth ages 12 to 18 who want to make new friends, while participating in fun and challenging activities. The Cadet Program helps young citizens develop decision making and teamwork skills, while increasing their self-confidence. It also develops citizenship and leadership ideals in young Canadians while promoting physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle.
The Cadet Program contains three separate elements: sea, army and air. While all three elements share common training, each program also has its own distinct focus. The Sea Cadets focus on seamanship and learning to sail, the Army Cadets focus on outdoor adventure, and the Air Cadets focus on principles of aviation and learning to fly. While cadets will learn about the Canadian Forces, they are not members of the military, nor are they expected to join.
The Cadet Program is locally based, through Cadet units in our area. Cadets Canada also offers summer training courses stationed at a number of centres across the province, like a summer camp. These summer training courses offer a more in-depth experience to Cadets.
Thanks to the support given by the Government of Canada through the Department of National Defence, the Cadets Program is free. There are no registration fees or dues to join the Cadet Program. Upon joining, uniforms and accessories are provided free of charge.
Cadets Canada offers an extraordinary experience for Canada`s youth. The Cadet Program is open to both boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 18. For many, the Cadets are a perfect fit, providing an educational and enjoyable activity for those beyond the age of some camps, while too young for summer employment.
For over 100 years, Cadets Canada has helped prepare today’s young Canadians to become tomorrow’s leaders. Take a look at Cadets Canada. You might find it is the perfect thing for your children to enrol in this summer season.
Carrie and I, and our two boys, wish you and your family a good summer. We look forward to seeing you at many of the local events in our communities.
For more information on the local Cadet units in our area please visit www.cadets.ca or contact me at chongm@parl.gc.ca or (866) 878 5556. Hon. Michael Chong, M.P. Wellington-Halton Hills
Posted: Jun. 28, 2009 Under: Community Permanent Link to this Article
