Several pets perish in Welland apartment fire
A dog and several birds died in a Welland apartment fire on Maple Avenue Friday night.
“They succumbed to the smoke,” said Welland Fire and Emergency Services Chief Adam Eckhart.
Another dog did survive by taking shelter in the second-floor apartment and was found a couple of hours later by firefighters.
Firefighters were called to 144 Maple Ave. just before 7:30 p.m. to a reported structure fire, with people possibly still inside the two-storey residence.
“Crews arrived to find flames visible from the second floor.”
Eckhart said crews from Station 3 on Prince Charles Drive had water on the fire in under three minutes from the time of the call to their arrival on the scene.
The chief said the quick attack came because of early notification to the fire. Residents in the lower unit heard a smoke alarm going off in a hallway and called 911.
“They went up to bang on the door to alert the neighbour. They didn’t try to force the door open, that was the best thing to do,” said Eckhart, adding the tenants suspected their neighbour wasn’t home as they knew her work schedule.
The two downstairs tenants and a visiting relative then went outside to wait for the fire service.
Firefighters attacked the growing fire from outside and also forced entry into the upstairs apartment.
“No one was home.”
Six trucks and 38 firefighters — career and volunteers — were on the scene for at least two hours. A fire prevention officer also responded to investigate the cause once the fire was out.
The cause of the fire was accidental but undetermined, possibly electrical.
“Damage is more than $100,000. There was smoke and water damage to the downstairs apartment, as well.”
Eckhart said residents from both units were able to find accommodations with friends and family.