Following an investigation by the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office of a fatal fire (January 19, 2009), the Orillia Fire Department has laid 7 charges against the owners of the Muskoka Heights Retirement residence.
These charges include:
These charges include:
· Failure to ensure exterior passageway or fire escape in occupied building be maintained;
· Failure to ensure supervisory staff be instructed in the fire emergency procedures as described in the fire safety plan before given any responsibility for fire safety;
· Failure to implement the fire safety plan provisions for conducting the required monthly tests of the building’s fire alarm system;
· Failure to prominently post and maintain on each floor area at least one copy of the fire emergency procedures;
· Failure to implement the fire safety plan provisions for conducting fire drills for supervisory staff;
· Failure to conduct annual maintenance and testing of portable extinguishers;
· Failure to ensure original or a copy of records be retained at the building premises;
If convicted, the owners can be fined up to $50,000 and sentenced to 1 year in jail on each of the charges.
Despite heroic rescue attempts by firefighters, two residents perished during the fire and two others later succumbed from their injuries at hospital.
These charges underscore the importance of due diligence in ensuring a proper emergency plan, training, and documentation.
The press release from the Fire Marshal’s office can be found at:
http://www.ofm.gov.on.ca/english/Publications/Press/2009/July-20-09.asp
