An unattended pot on the stove led to some scary moments at an apartment building at 30 Baseline Rd. W. at around 1 p.m. yesterday afternoon (Feb. 20).
A man living in Unit 609 of the building fell asleep on the couch with a pot of potatoes he was deep-frying cooking on the stove, according to the London Fire Department in a news release.
The door to his apartment had been wedged open prior to the fire, which allowed heavy black smoke to fill most of the sixth floor hallway, while also entering other apartments on the floor. The smoke also filtered upwards to other floors. As firefighters worked on extinguishing the blaze and ventilating the smoke, tenants were asked to stay in their apartments or on their balconies.
The tenant in the unit where the fire started received first- and second-degree burns on his head and arms from radiant heat burns, while also suffering from minor smoke inhalation. He was treated on the scene but refused to go to the hospital.
A man visiting another tenant of the building also treated for minor smoke inhalation symptoms, which he obtained while trying to extinguish the fire with a dry powder extinguisher, fire officials said. He too was treated on scene but also refused to go to the hospital.
There’s heavy damage to the kitchen, cupboards and stove in the apartment where the fire started. There’s also heavy smoke damage in the unit and the hallway, with minor smoke damage in the adjoining apartments and floors 7 to 10.
Damage is pegged at $100,000. Although the local investigation is complete, the Ontario Office of Fire Marshall was contacted since blaze extended beyond main unit and since there were fire-related injuries.
