Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency warning the public about the importance of smoke alarms after two deadly fires in Halifax.
They revealed more details on Wednesday, after finishing the investigation into both cases.
In both cases, there were no working smoke alarms in the home.
“Smoke alarms give occupants time to evacuate a building. They also cause the fire department to come sooner, because an undetected fire can burn a long time,” said Deputy Fire Chief Dave Meldrum.
“It’s extremely rare in our experience for a fatality to occur when smoke alarms are properly positioned within the home.”
Riverside Drive fire caused by electrical issue
They say a portable battery bank started a fire Jan. 11 on Riverside Drive in Lower Sackville. It’s possible there was a faulty cord or that it overheated.
Five-year-old Cayson, six-year-old Chloe and nine-year-old Alauna were sent to hospital after the fire broke out around 3 a.m., but did not survive.
The mother, 37-year-old Tanya and her two-year-old girl managed to escape uninjured, while 40-year-old Jermaine, was pulled out heroically by his neighbour, Gerrid Hunt.
Jermaine was taken to hospital in critical condition and was later released.
At this location, there was a smoke alarm in the home, but it did not have a battery in it.
Some similarities with Thompson Street fire
On January 24, a fire broke out at a home on Thompson Street. Investigators say it was accidental and was caused by electrical issues in the living room. There were also no working smoke alarms in the home.
Two longtime partners, Ron Dunphy and Francis Anopuechi both passed away from their injuries.
Dunphy died on the way to the hospital and Anopuechi just days later.
Check alarms regularly
Meldrum says sometimes electrical fires can smolder and go undetected for a long time, and they can go undetected even longer when there is no working smoke alarm.
He says you should test your alarms monthly, change the battery every year, and replace the alarm after 10 years. Never disable or tamper with them, including removing the batteries.
He says people can reach out to 311 if they can’t get a smoke alarm themselves.
More prevention efforts needed, says union
The Halifax Professional Fire Fighters union says their thoughts are with the families of the victims, as well as their communities.
“Our members were among the first on scene at both incidents and worked under extremely difficult conditions to do everything possible. These events weigh heavily on all first responders involved,” the statement read.
Although the fires were an accident, the union says fire prevention resources need to be more accessible, and there needs to be more public fire safety measures.
“Fire safety begins long before the first 911 call is placed—and it ends with fire fighters on scene, ready to help.”
With files from Caitlin Snow.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
