Five displaced after Timmins apartment fire

Timmins Fire Department Unit 51, a 2019 Spartan ERV Pumper, is shown parked in Mountjoy Township in this undated photo. (File photo/Supplied/G. Wayne Prout)

Fire crews responded to a structure fire in the 200 block of MacLean Drive on Tuesday afternoon.

Timmins Professional Firefighters issued a public advisory on social media shortly before 1 p.m., urging residents to avoid the area while emergency crews worked at the scene. Fire officials said that crews were notified of the blaze around 12:30 p.m.

“Please avoid the area and give emergency crews the space they need to work safely and efficiently,” firefighters wrote.

The advisory also stressed the importance of keeping the area clear for first responders.

“Keeping roadways clear allows firefighters, paramedics, and police to access the scene quickly and helps protect everyone involved,” the post continued.

The Timmins Police Service also issued a news release shortly after 1 p.m. advising that that MacLean Drive was closed between Carlin Avenue and Lincoln Avenue due to the blaze.

Fire contained

Deputy Fire Chief Scott Foster provided an update to CTV News shortly after 3 p.m., confirming the fire was confined to an upstairs apartment and originated in the bathroom.

Foster said four people were inside the apartment at the time of the fire and all evacuated safely.

No injuries have been reported.

Foster told CTV News that the fire caused minor damage, primarily smoke-related and extended into the ceiling without breaching the attic.

Five people have been displaced because of the fire – three from the upstairs unit and two from the main floor.

Fire officials said the Red Cross is assisting those affected.

MacLean Drive was reopened before 3:30 p.m.

The fire department and police both thanked the public for their cooperation during the incident.

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.