Tenant recounts harrowing escape from Aylmer fire
Despite losing nearly everything he owns in a downtown Aylmer fire, Justin Temple says he is fortunate to be alive.
Standing in front of the blocked-off remains of the century building he called home until Monday night, he recalled his frantic escape.
He says he and his girlfriend were watching a movie just after 8 p.m. when suddenly they noted the smell of burning plastic.
“And I opened my door and the hallway was filled with smoke. I closed my door and said, ‘Get the dog, get everything!’”
As his girlfriend fled, Temple went to find a fire extinguisher. It’s a decision he now regrets.
“The smoke was just so thick by that point. It was completely overwhelming. And I felt like I was going to pass out.”
Temple said he barely made it outside. “If I had of stayed any longer, I might not be here to tell you about. I’m really glad I didn’t get greedy about possessions.”
Temple’s possessions and those of at least another 10 tenants in six upper-floor units, are now buried in the collapsed building.An investigator is seen in the remains of building destroyed by fire in Aylmer. March 22m 2023. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
It is expected most of the debris will be cleared up over the next few days, as the town looks to fully reopen Talbot Street.
But for now, the fear of collapse has forced a partial sidewalk closure. It runs along the front of the destroyed building and those adjoining it.
One, Scotiabank, suffered smoke and water damage. A town order keeping it closed is posted on its back door.
While cooking is the suspected cause of the fire, a final investigation will take time, said Aylmer fire Chief Todd McKone.
“The unstable conditions we’re dealing with make it darn near impossible to get inside. Most of it [the investigation] will be external,” said McKone.
Once the building is removed a gap will remain in the streetscape.Aylmer Mayor Jack Couckuyt stands in front of what's left of a building in downtown Aylmer after a fire. March 22, 203. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
Aylmer Mayor Jack Couckuyt hopes it won’t be vacant for long. While his priority remains caring for those impacted, he is looking ahead and noting incentives to rebuild.
“I expect it to be several months before anything happens here, but we do have a community improvement [plan] in place, which would help builders restore what was there before. Because there is a major look to this downtown, and we kind of what to replace it as it is.”
And replacement of items lost in the fire is all Temple hopes for now, but he has no doubts the town will come through.
“Aylmer is a really good community and everyone has been really trying to reach out and help,” Temple shared.
Most tenants did not have insurance.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.
Fewer medical students going into family medicine contributing to doctor shortage
As some family doctors are retiring and others are moving away from family medicine, there are fewer medical students to take their place.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.