One person dead after townhouse fire in east London Thursday morning - Action News
Home WebMail Monday, November 11, 2024, 12:46 AM | Calgary | -0.4°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
LondonVideo

One person dead after townhouse fire in east London Thursday morning

One person is dead following a fire that destroyed an east Londontownhouse unit and closed a residential street Thursday morning.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation

One person dead in east London townhouse fire Thursday morning

9 days ago
Duration 1:17
One person was found dead after a fire at a townhouse at 121 Bonaventure Dr. in London, Ont., Thursday morning. London Fire Platoon Chief Colin Shewell told CBC News about extinguishing the blaze.

One person is dead following a fire that destroyed an east London townhouse unit and closed a residential street Thursday morning.

Gnarled and burntlumber and metal could be seen inside the broken windows and doors of a corner unitat 121 Bonaventure Dr., a townhouse complex near Veterans Memorial Parkway and Admiral Drive.

Neighbours gathered to watchasdozens of firefighters worked to ventilate the building and assess the damage following the blaze that broke out at around 11:25 a.m.

One of several blown out windows that could be seen on the structure, Thursday.
One of several blown out windows following a fire on Thursday morning. (Alessio Donnini/CBC News)

"Multiple fire crews dispatched and were met with heavy smoke and fire," said Platoon Chief Colin Shewell. "We have about 28 firefighters here with a platoon chief and a district chief. At the same time, we're actually covering the rest of the city with other calls, so it's been a very busy day for our crews."

Neighbours described seeing flames pouring out of the windows and doors of the structure, sending thick black smoke billowing into the air.

London police later confirmed one person who was found inside the unit had died. Police said in a media release the person was already dead when they were found.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Fire crews used an truck-mounted boom to access the roof of the building.
Fire crews used a truck-mounted boom to access the roof of the building. (Alessio Donnini/CBC News)

According to Shewell, the unitsufferedextensive damage, estimated in excess of $500,000.

It's unclear if the home had a working smoke detector. Atthe scene,Shewellexpressed the importance of the devices, especially ahead of fire prevention week in early October.

"We want to make sure that people are consistently checking their fire alarmsand their carbon monoxide detectors. It's their front line of defence," he said. "If there's a fire, it's a traumatic day for everyone, but if we can see the family out in the front lawn, then we can go in and fight the fire and we're only dealing with property damage."

Neighbours described seeing flames billowing from the windows of the unit as the fire unfolded.
Neighbours described seeing flames billowing from the windows of the unit as the fire unfolded. (Alessio Donnini/CBC News)

The identity of the victim has not been released. Police said they will provide an update following their investigation.