Electrical issue likely sparked Kirkland Lake fire that displaced 25 people

Kirkland Lake fire displaces 25 people A fire in downtown Kirkland Lake last weekend that displaced 25 people was likely caused by an electrical issue, says fire chief Earl Grigg.

A fire in downtown Kirkland Lake last weekend that displaced 25 people was likely caused by an "electrical issue," says fire chief Earl Grigg.

Grigg told CTV News on Wednesday morning that the Government Road building was so heavily damaged, it had to be torn down for safety reasons.

The 911 call came in at 3 p.m. on Sept. 21 and crews rushed to the scene, with officials from the Round Lake Volunteer Fire Department and the Kenogami and King Kirkland also called in to help.

It took more than 10 hours for crews to extinguish the blaze, with firefighter on the scene until 1:30 a.m.

In addition to 25 residents in the main building who were displaced, another 10 other people from a neighbouring building that sustained heavy siding damage were evacuated.

But Grigg said crews were able to save that structure. There were no injuries.

Two Northern College students, one who already moved in and another who was in the process of moving in, are among those who lost everything. The college is creating two emergency bursaries worth $1,500 for the students to help them get back on their feet.

"We reached back out and said we'd provide them with any type of electronic equipment and laptops and such to be able to do their schoolwork," said Drew Enouy, the college’s Kirkland Lake campus manager.

Enouy said a similar situation occurred last year to students studying in Timmins. After that experience, the school set up an emergency relief fund.

"We've sort of sent that out to our to our campus and to the larger college as a whole," Enouy said.

"Thank you to the Kirkland Lake first responders for their quick response and actions which saved lives."

Click here to donate and select 'Kirkland Lake Fire Student Relief Fund.'

The Canadian Red Cross and Kirkland Lake Salvation Army are helping those who were displaced.

The damage estimate is pegged at around $750,000.