***UPDATED***
A kitchen fire is to blame for an evacuation of a seniors apartment building in Dryden last evening.
Fire fighters were called to the Van Horne complex just after 5:00 p.m. to reports of smoke in the building, where crews first on scene encountered heavy smoke on the second floor.
There they were able to locate the unit where the smoke was emanating from and extinguished a fire in the apartment.
Upon arrival of support the building was ventilated while residents were evacuated to nearby vehicles to keep warm.
Fire Chief Chris Wood says a collaborative effort from multiple organizations, the Ontario Provincial Police, Northwest EMS, the City of Dryden’s My Lift Service, in addition to the Dryden Fire Service which kept the situation under control.
“Their outstanding coordination and quick response were instrumental in managing displaced residents during this incident.”
While there was heavy damage sustained by the unit where the blaze originated from, all other residents were able to return safely to their homes.
***Previous story below***
No injuries have been reported so far but an investigation is underway into the cause of a fire at a seniors apartment complex in Dryden.
First responders were called to the complex on Van Horne Avenue Tuesday evening and thankfully fire crews were able to contain the fire to a single unit.
However, smoke filled the building’s corridors which prompted an evacuation, where residents were assisted by paramedics and able to shelter inside warm vehicles, while the building was ventilated.
No further details have been released at this time.