Central York Fire Services were called to a house in Newmarket after a fire broke out in a kitchen.
Firefighters responded to reports of a fire in the windows of a multi-unit house on Prospect Street on July 26 at about 12:45 p.m. The unit was evacuated before firefighters arrived and no one was injured.
“First arriving crews reported an active structure fire with smoke coming from the third-floor windows,” said Central York Fire Services in an incident report. “Crews conducted a search of all levels to confirm occupants were out and located and quickly extinguished a fire in the second-floor kitchen.”
Prospect Street was closed while firefighters were on the scene. Crews ventilated the home and monitored the air. The street was reopened after.
Fire services deployed six fire trucks to the scene, several firefighters, and one chief officer. It worked in collaboration with York Regional Police. The street was reopened afterwards.
Fire services state cooking is the Number 1 cause of fires in Ontario, causing a third of fire-related injuries. In the event of an emergency, working smoke alarms and a home escape plan can save lives. Residential fires burn quickly and normal escape routes can be compromised in an emergency.
Remember to plan and practise your escape routes, two per room, and designate a safe meeting spot outside of your home. In the moment, focus on getting yourself, and others, out of the home and then call 911 from your meeting place.