Skip to content

Tenants face smoke alarm charges after Atherley Road apartment fire

Penalties range from $235 for a ticketable offence to a maximum $50,000 and/or up to one year in prison
2018-03-19 atherley road fire.jpg
Fire ripped through the rear unit of a four-plex at 351 Atherley Rd. Alex Draper for OrilliaMatters

NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF ORILLIA
*************************
Multiple tenants of both 351 and 353 Atherley Rd. in Orillia are facing smoke alarm-related charges under the Ontario Fire Code after failing to notify the landlord that smoke alarms were not operating and smoke alarms were disconnected.

“Smoke alarms give occupants the early warning needed to safely evacuate a building when fire conditions exist,” said Ralph Dominelli, Orillia Fire Chief. “Tenants are obligated to notify their landlord when a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm’s operation is impaired, not operating or disconnected.”

Just before midnight on March 17, 2018, the Orillia Fire Department responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a structure fire with flames showing at the Atherley Road apartment building. Fire fighters initiated exterior and interior fire attack locating and extinguishing fire in the first and second-storey apartments.

Landlords are responsible for ensuring apartments are equipped with unexpired, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Further to providing tenants with maintenance instructions, the Fire Department recommends that property owners institute an annual maintenance check that includes testing of devices.

It is imperative for tenants to notify their landlord of any concerns in the operation of these life saving devices. Failing to complete some smoke alarm maintenance requirements is a provincial offence.

Penalties upon conviction for each offence under the Provincial Offences Act range from $235 for a Part I ticketable offence to a maximum $50,000 and/or up to one year in prison if charged under Part III of the Act.

For more information on smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements, visit orillia.ca/alarms.

The City of Orillia is a city of 31,000 people in the heart of Ontario’s Lake Country on the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. Visit our website at orillia.ca.

*************************

 


Comments

Verified reader

If you would like to apply to become a verified commenter, please fill out this form.