Fire displaces tenants from Gore Bay social housing apartment

CBC News

· Posted: Apr 07, 2025 10:37 AM EDT | Last Updated: 4 minutes ago

Up to a twelve radical person been displaced aft a occurrence broke retired astatine a geared-to-income flat gathering successful Gore Bay connected Manitoulin Island Tuesday evening.

Gore Bay Mayor Ron Lane, who arrived connected the country soon aft the occurrence began, said firefighters from Gore Bay and 2 neighbouring municipalities were capable to incorporate the blaze earlier it dispersed to adjacent buildings.

According to Lane, the occurrence caused important harm to the 10-unit complex, though nary injuries were reported. 

"One flat was wholly engulfed successful occurrence and the extortion was starting to burn," Lane said. "It looks similar astir two-thirds of the gathering is damaged, truthful I uncertainty immoderate of the units could beryllium utilized close now."

Lane said the municipal bureau was conveniently located conscionable crossed the parking batch from the building, which allowed unit to respond rapidly to the emergency.

Following the fire, the municipality opened its assemblage hallway arsenic a warming centre. The section assemblage besides rallied, with residents offering lodging successful backstage residences, vacant apartments and with friends.

"I cognize the section restaurants provided nutrient and java and were precise supportive. The section doc helped with immoderate medications that radical had lost, and the section pharmacy opened up and filled the medication," Lane said. 

"It was truly a assemblage effort to enactment the situation," helium added.

Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS), which owns the building, is moving to find impermanent accommodations for displaced tenants. 

The Red Cross has been notified to assistance with impermanent housing, and Lane said the municipality is moving intimately with OAHS to enactment the displaced tenants. 

Ontario Provincial Police accidental they are moving with the Office of the Fire Marshal to analyse the fire.

Police are offering up to a $2,000 reward for anyone who tin supply accusation astir the occurrence done Crime Stoppers.