Owen Sound Emergency Services were kept busy today responding to two 911 calls less than half an hour apart. The first call for service, coming just prior to the noon hour, was in response to a smoke alarm at 305 14th Street West. The tiered response involved members of the Owen Sound Police Service, Fire Service and Grey County EMS.
Smoke in the building was contained to one apartment where food had been left unattended cooking in the oven. The elderly tenants from the apartment were not present during the fire and could not be located at the time to be spoken to. Although the building was initially evacuated, tenants were allowed to return to their apartments within half an hour. The 300 block of 14th Street West was closed to traffic for approximately 30 minutes.
As Police, Fire and EMS were clearing this call a second 911 call was received in relation to a fire at 894 Alpha Street. The second call was received at approximately 12:15 pm. Due to the close proximity to the first call for service; Police, Fire and EMS were able to respond to the area quickly keeping the fire contained to one housing unit.
Two children, ages 13 and 10, were home at the time the fire started however were able exit the residence without being injured and call 911. The fire was believed to have started in a toaster located in the kitchen. Tenants from the adjoining housing units were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Damage to the housing unit is estimated at $100,000 and will take approximately two months to repair.
Grey County Housing, United Way of Bruce Grey, Grey Bruce Victim Services and the Red Cross were all on scene to offer assistance to the family. Traffic on Alpha Street between 11th Street and 9th Avenue West had to be rerouted for approximately two hours.