G arage fires spark safety reminders

Acting St. Catharines fire Chief Jeff McCormick is reminding parents to educate their children about the dangers of playing with matches and lighters following a garage fire Monday.

Firefighters were called to Division Street at about 1:50 p.m. after reports of a structure fire. Crews found a fully involved garage fire when they arrived.

There were no injuries. The damage is estimated at $25,000 with the garage destroyed and some damage to a nearby home. Fire prevention officials determined the cause as children playing with fire-starting materials.

McCormick is urging parents to explain to their children that matches and lighters are tools for adults to use carefully — not toys.

“Teach children at a young age that if they see matches or lighters, they should not touch them,” he said. “Store fire-starting materials out of children’s reach and instruct them that any act of firesetting is dangerous and can have devastating consequences.”

McCormick said parents who are concerned about their child’s fascination with fire, or who have noticed their child setting fires, should contact the St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Services fire prevention office at 905-688-5601 ext. 4224 for information about The Arson Prevention Program for Children in Niagara.

Tuesday, firefighters responded to a garage fire at 24 Shakespeare Ave. at 2:05 a.m.

The fire was challenging to extinguish due to the amount of combustible content inside the garage. Firefighters had to call in a city backhoe to help move the flammable products. There were no injuries. Damage is estimated at $30,000.

A cause was not determined due to the difficulty in gaining access to the area of the fire. There were also concerns about the structural integrity of the garage.

“We want residents to take storage of combustible and flammable materials seriously,” McCormick said.

“Whether it’s proper handling and storage, or eliminating clutter and ensuring there is not an accumulation of combustibles, reduce the risk. A fire can start in a garage and spread quickly to your home — even if it’s not attached — if you are not careful.”