Fire on Russell Street in Kingston Leaves One Person in Critical Condition
On Tuesday, June 6, 2023, a residential fire on Russell Street in Kingston left one person with critical injuries, while the Ontario Fire Marshall and Kingston Police have initiated an investigation into the matter. This incident occurred at a time when the skies of Kingston were already filled with smoke due to ongoing wildfires in Greater Madawaska and Quebec.
Details of the Incident
The fire was reported at around 10 minutes to 8 a.m. as a structure fire at a residential duplex. The Kingston Fire & Rescue team, despite the heavy smoke, were able to enter the building, where they rescued one person who was immediately taken to the hospital in critical condition. The blaze appeared to have originated in the back of the residence, but the authorities haven’t determined the cause of the fire at this point.
The Kingston Fire & Rescue team was also successful in extinguishing the fire relatively quickly. While they attended to the blaze, Frontenac Paramedics transported the injured person to the hospital. The Office of the Fire Marshal and Kingston Police were called in to investigate the matter, as per standard protocol in cases of severe injuries or fatalities.
Importance of Fire Safety Precautions
Delbert Blakney, Fire Inspector with Kingston Fire & Rescue, took the moment to remind local residents of the importance of checking and maintaining their smoke detectors and making use of the Home Self-Inspection Safety Checklist, made available by the City of Kingston website, to ensure maximum safety.
Blakney also highlighted the possibility of residents mistaking the smoke for another fire in the area, which often leads to the dispatch of numerous unnecessary emergency calls.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the unfortunate incident on Russell Street underlines the importance of appropriate fire safety precautions. It also highlights the bravery of the firefighters in Kingston, who, despite the smoke, risked their lives to save another. It is hoped that the authorities can determine the cause of the fire quickly, and those responsible, if any, can be held accountable for their actions.
<< photo by Pixabay >>
