Yesterday evening, Oakville Fire received a 9-1-1 call to dispatch shortly after 6:20 p.m. regarding a fire at a townhouse complex on Sixth Line, near Upper Middle Road.
According to Fire Chief Paul Boissonneault, fire crews arrived on scene in less than four minutes; upon arrival, they observed heavy smoke from the unit in question.
Firefighters were able to conduct a “primary search” of the two-floor unit quickly. When a primary search is conducted, each floor is checked to see if there are any occupants.
A male individual was found on the main floor, and, later, taken to Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital for burns and smoke inhalation. He has since been released from the hospital.
Crews were able to attack and contain the fire to the basement where, sadly, a woman was found dead, along with a dog.
At this point, the relationship between the individuals residing in the home is unknown. Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) is determining whether they were family, friends, or occupants.
The deceased’s body was picked up this afternoon by the coroner.
The scene is being preserved, so the investigation into the cause of the fire could continue. At this point, it appears that the fire originated in the basement.
During the peak of the incident, up to 30 firefighters were present on scene.
Oakville Fire extends its condolences to the family of the victim in this tragedy.
Boissonneault took the opportunity to remind the public that “working and well-maintained smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors save lives.”
If a fire is past its initial and incipient stage, you should “absolutely run out of the house.”
“Back away from the fire, leave the house, and call 9-1-1.”
No one, Boissonneault says, should ever try to extinguish a well-developed fire on their own as “they’re going to put themselves in grave danger.”
"The best thing you can do if you hear the smoke alarm is get out, stay out, and call 9-1-1.”