CHATHAM-KENT (October 10, 2023) – This week is Fire Prevention Week and Chatham-Kent Fire & Rescue (CKFR) will be visiting thousands of students in CK to educate them on fire safety and promote the second annual CHiRP Day in CK being held on October 21, 2023.
However, the week began with a house fire in our community, a serious reminder that having working alarms and an escape plan saves lives. Just before 2 am on Saturday October 7th, a resident of Erieau was awoken to find his home filled with smoke and smoke alarms activating. Station #14 – Erieau was dispatched for smoke showing at 3 Nichols Avenue.
Upon arrival, crews reported a fully involved single family dwelling with a close exposure on the one side. Station #18 – Blenheim and Station #16 – South Raleigh were also dispatched. The Command Unit was called in to provide air and rehab support. Crews encountered strong winds for the duration of the incident. Unfortunately, the home is a complete loss and there was significant damage to the neighbouring home. Entegrus and Enbridge as well as CKPS and CK EMS were all on scene. No injuries estimated value upwards of $1,000,000.
Working smoke alarms alerted the resident at 3 Nichols Avenue, the neighbouring home on the delta side was vacant at the time of the incident.
“As we enter fire prevention week and with ‘CHiRP Day in CK’ on the 21st of October, where every available member of the department and partners will be going door to door all over Chatham-Kent to provide home safety advice to our communities,” explains Fire Chief Chris Case, “we are reminded that this week’s fire was a tragedy for the homeowners but one that can be recovered from. As we found in Chatham only a few weeks ago some tragedies cannot be mended as easily.”
Saturday October 21st is CHiRP Day in CK. Firefighters from all nineteen fire stations, along with community partners will be taking the streets and knocking on doors, asking to come into homes to complete CHiRP home safety checks.
“A CHiRP Home Safety Check is free and takes about 10 to 15 minutes,” explains Public Information Officer, Whitney Burk. “Firefighters provided residents with safety education for their home, while checking, testing alarms and installing new smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when needed.”
If you would like a CHiRP Home Safety Check you can request one by visiting ckfire.ca or calling 519-360-1998.
