Resident in 'critical condition' after an overnight apartment fire on Adelaide Street North
Charred debris sits outside the door of an upper level apartment unit at 571 Adelaide St. N., just south of Central Avenue.
A woman, believed to be the lone occupant of the unit, was removed from the three-storey walk-up by crews with the London Fire Department.
"Crews were able to get in, do a search, and rescue one on individual,” said Platoon Chief Colin Shewell. “They were able to hand them over to Middlesex-London Paramedic Services for care and transport to [Victoria] hospital."
Emergency responders were called to the apartment around 1:20 a.m., and found fire and smoke had spread throughout the unit.
Two residents who spoke with CTV News said they're familiar with the woman, admitting that her behaviour could sometimes be erratic.
"She, sort of, knocks on everyone’s doors, especially newcomers who move in. Just strange acts, you know, and requests and things like that," said Leita Saysombath.
Saysombath said some people have complained, but most were understanding, "I know there were a few outcries here and there. You know how everything is; it's always that [Genovese] effect, the bystander effect, but everyone tries their best to help."
Charred debris can be see outside the door of an upper-level apartment unit at 571 Adelaide St. N. in London, Ont., on March 24, 2023. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)
A man who lives just doors down from the woman, but didn’t want to be identified, reported the same behaviours.
He said the woman would often let her cat roam the halls. He retrieved a cat from a smoke-filled hallway and handed it over to fire crews as he left the building. The fire department said one cat perished in the fire.
Shewell said crews were able to get the fire out within half-an-hour of arriving, but admits apartment unit fires can be challenging.
"There's a very heavy fire-load in these type of apartments, and small areas for our crews to work in. Generally there is a lot of stuff, combustible stuff, and that makes it very difficult to fight," said Shewell.
Broken windows are visible in an upper-unit of an apartment complex at 571 Adelaide St. N. in London, Ont. A fire that occurred on March 24, 2023, in the unit sent one woman to hospital with critical injuries. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)
A lone police vehicle remained stationed at the apartment complex Friday, with the investigation now headed by the London Street Crimes Unit.
Shewell said the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office has been contacted.
The police investigation will be supported by the OFM and members of the London Fire Department Fire Investigations Unit. Shewell said that the investigation likely won't begin in earnest until Saturday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.