Updated at 2:48 p.m. on May 29
With a faulty barbecue the suspected cause of a massive blaze on Benita Boulevard in New Sudbury on May 28, Greater Sudbury Fire Service is warning people to check their home grills for leaks.
Firefighters responded to the fire at around 6:23 p.m. Bystanders flooded the street from surrounding neighbourhoods to watch firefighters work to contain it.
“We live just on Maley Drive, and all of a sudden we saw a big bunch of black smoke coming out and it was thick,” said one woman.
Fire officials have pegged the damage at about $1.5 million, said Public Safety Officer Leo Frappier. Thirty-one firefighters were called in. Thirteen people were evacuated, and 11 have been displaced, said Greater Sudbury Fire Services.
Of those, six are currently in the care of the Red Cross, said David St. Georges, a community services co-ordinator with the organization. Red Cross offers 72 hours of relief for those in these types of emergency situations.
“We’re expecting to hear from more of (those affected by the fire) today,” St. Georges said.
RNorthern Life was contacted by Michelle Graham, whose mother and brother, a kinesiology student at Laurentian University, lost their home in the fire.
“They have lost everything and the family is still in shock,” Graham wrote in an email.
She said St. Charles College in Sudbury and Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary in Val Caron are accepting donations of money or new items for those affected.
For more information, phone St. Charles at (705) 560-1686 or Bishop Alexander Carter at 705) 969-2212. Black Apple Studios on Elgin Street is also accepting donations.
The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office is helping determine the cause of the fire.
Frappier said he wasn’t able to say whether the cause was a propane tank exploding, as some media have reported, but Greater Sudbury Fire Services cautions residents to check barbecue connections and hoses for leaks.
Updated 8:39 a.m. on May 29
Fire officials have pegged the damage caused by the Benita Boulevard fire at about $1.5 million, said Public Safety Officer Leo Frappier.
A total of 31 firefighters were called in to battle the flames.
Thirteen people were evacuated, and 11 have been displaced as a result of the fire, said Greater Sudbury Fire Services.
The Ontario Fire Marshal's Office has been called in to help determine the cause of the fire. Frappier said he wasn't able to say whether the fire was started due to a propane tank exploding, but Greater Sudbury Fire Services cautions residents to check barbecue cylinder connections and hoses for leaks by brushing a 50/50 mix of liquid soap and water onto all connections and hoses.
When the valve is turned on, rising bubbles will indicate a leak. Tighten connections or repair the hose until there are no bubbles.
Updated 9:15 p.m.
Four structures were damaged in the fire, including two semi-detached homes.
Platoon chief, George Lalonde, said about 13 people were displaced from their homes and are in the care of the Red Cross.
Fire fighters will remain on the scene through the night as they continue to put out hotspots.
No injures have been reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Original story
Greater Sudbury Fire Services responded to a house fire on Benita Blvd. around 6:23 p.m. on May 28. At least three homes suffered fire damage.
Check back to NorthernLife.ca for more information as it becomes available.
