'We are not fooling around': Local fire department charging smoke detector violators
The chief of the St. Marys Fire Department is through with warnings about smoke detectors.
Chief Richard Anderson’s department is now laying fines against those who don’t comply.
“It’s to get the message out that as a fire department, we are not fooling around. We have to take this seriously and so do people.”
The move follows a rash of serious house fires -- five in just a four-month period.
Normally St. Marys, a town of 7,200, expects one to two house fires a year.
“To have that many fires in that short period of time was quite alarming.”
In one case, a garage is all that remains of a blaze that destroyed a family home on Queen St. E.
Anderson says it was seconds away from being a devastating loss.
“That family did not have smoke alarms - at all - in that house. And the main occupant, only by chance when he went to the bathroom, discovered that his living room was on fire. And he quickly got his wife and son out of the house.”
In the aftermath, all were thankful for the lives saved.
But with no safeguards in place to prevent what could have been a tragedy, Anderson made a decision.
“We charged the homeowner after they had a major loss like that. Now, we feel bad; we have a heart, but at the same time, we had to get the point across that residents cannot operate like this. They have to have those smoke alarms.”
Anderson says it to not only protect residents but also the firefighters who respond to calls.
That’s why he says the charges will continue.
The most recent count was just days ago against a Wellington St. S. resident.
Anderson’s team laid a $360 fine after making a startling discovery, “The actual smoke alarms were disconnected.”
The chief says it’s not all that uncommon.
“We find that occupants will disconnect them because of the chirping and stuff like that, with the intention maybe I’m going to get another one, and then it kind of goes by the wayside, and they forget about it."
Which is why Anderson hopes people won’t forget his department is now frequently forgoing warnings for charges.
“It’s to get the message out that as a fire department, we are not fooling around. We have to take this seriously and so do people."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
The United States vetoed a widely backed UN resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.