Cedar Heights structure fire remains undetermined, no dollar loss provided

The cause of Sunday Night’s Cedar Heights Rd. fire will remain undetermined.

That from Fire Chief Jason Whiteley, who says crews responded to the structure fire around 20 after 6.Whiteley says crews were greeted by heavy smoke on the first floor, and a well-established fire in the basement area of the residence. He says the sole occupant was safely removed and with extra combustibles in the basement area, fire crews exited the building and fought the fire from a defensive position.

The fire has been investigated and no dollar loss is being provided at this time.

As the winter heating season is upon us, North Bay Fire would like to share the following tips:

• Preventative care and a well-designed area for burning wood can reduce the likelihood of an unintended incident. Consult a professional about proper installation of stove pipes. If you are using a fireplace, regularly have the chimney cleaned and serviced by a professional. Keep an area of at least one metre around the stove or fireplace clear of anything that might catch fire or overheat.
• Never use highly flammable materials such as wrapping paper or gasoline in a woodstove or fireplace. These substances can create dangerous fireballs in an instant and, just like burning too much wood at once, can cause a buildup of flammable materials in your chimney or stove pipes. With the holiday season fast approaching, remember to take decorations such as stockings off the fireplace before use. If you have a real Christmas tree, water it regularly and keep it a safe distance away from your woodstove and any open flames.
• Always use a screen in front of the fireplace and never leave children unattended by a fire. Have a fire escape plan for your house and regularly review it with your family. Once you are out, stay out.
• Keep a working fire extinguisher in an accessible location. Check your smoke alarms monthly and replace the batteries as necessary. You should also have carbon monoxide alarms in your sleeping quarters to alert you if there is a buildup of the deadly gas.

Fire Chief Jason Whiteley says “a working smoke alarm gives you a chance. A chance to wake up. A chance to run. A chance to live. Install smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. It’s the law. Test them every month. Know without doubt your home has a working smoke alarm.”

Brad Aubinhttp://www.mynorthbaynow.comBrad is Vista Radio's Senior News Director for Ontario. He was born in Sudbury, raised in Kapuskasing and has lived in the North Bay area for nearly 20 years. A Canadore College grad, he has worked for many newspapers across the north, and joined the broadcasting side of the business in 2020. The proud husband and father of two loves sharing important local and area news to listeners. If you have a news tip you'd like to share, e-mail baubin@vistaradio.ca.