North Bay News: Main Street Fire Caused by Smoking Material

A fire Monday in North Bay that sent one firefighter to hospital and caused $500,000 in damage was caused by “improper disposal of smoking materials,” officials said Thursday.

“Thanks to the North Bay Police Department and EMS, as well as North Bay Transit, who assisted with this emergency,” North Bay Fire and Emergency Services said in a press release.

“A special thanks to the person who stopped and alerted the homeowners to the fire. Her actions allowed the family to evacuate before we arrived.”

One firefighter was taken to the hospital as a precaution due to extreme heat stress symptoms, the release said.

“The firefighter has been released and is back at work,” the press release said.

Fire Chief Jason Whiteley said he was concerned about the number of drivers who had “total disregard for the safety of emergency personnel working at the scene.”

“There were drivers trying to drive through the emergency work zone and driving over snakes,” Whiteley said.

“This creates additional safety issues for firefighters who are concentrating on the tasks needed to extinguish the fire.”

Authorities also reminded residents of the importance of safety when disposing of tobacco products.

“Smoking and unattended cooking are the leading cause of fire deaths in Ontario,” the press release said.

“Fires caused by smoking materials are preventable… If you smoke, smoke outside. Most deaths occur from fires that start in living rooms, family rooms and dens, or in bedrooms.”

Other safety tips:

– Storing cigaretteslighters, matches and other smoking materials in a high place, out of reach of children, in a locked cupboard.

– Use a deepsturdy ashtray. Keep it away from anything that can burn.

– Don’t throw away cigarettes in vegetation such as mulch, potted plants or landscaping, peat moss, dried grass, leaves or other things that can easily catch fire.

– Before you throw away cigarette butts and ashesMake sure they are out. The best way to do that is to submerge them in water or sand.

– Never smoke or allow anyone to smoke where medical oxygen is present. is used. Medical oxygen can make materials ignite more easily and fires burn faster than normal. It can make an existing fire burn faster and hotter.

– Fires have started while using e-cigarettes were used, the battery was being charged, or the device was being transported. Battery failures have resulted in small explosions. Never leave charged e-cigarettes unattended. E-cigarettes should be used with caution.