September 14, 2017 - A Mapleward Road property owner has been ticketed for failing to maintain a smoke alarm in operating condition. The ticket carries a fine of $360.  

Thunder Bay Fire Rescue responded to a structural fire at the residence on Sept. 3. The fire was confined to an exterior balcony and was quickly extinguished, all of the residents managed to safely escape. The cause of the fire was careless disposal of smoking materials. During the fire investigation, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue investigators discovered there was no working smoke alarm in the home. 

"Only a working smoke alarm can give you the early warning needed to safely escape a fire emergency," said Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio. "Smoke alarm violations can result in a ticket with a set fine of $360 or a Part 3 charge with a fine of up to $50,000 for individuals and $100,000 for corporations."

Thunder Bay Fire Rescue reminds residents that it is the law to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Carbon Monoxide alarms are required to be installed outside any sleeping area if your home has a fuel fired appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage. For more information residents are encourage to visit www.thunderbay.ca/fire. 

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Contact:     Anthony Stokaluk, Public Education Officer - Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, 625-2802 (office), 631-7033 (cell) or astokaluk@thunderbay.ca