One injured, residents displaced after late-night fire in Opera House apartment building

A fire contained to one apartment at the Opera House building in downtown St. Marys has left one person injured and displaced the building’s other residents. Pictured are the second-story windows that busted out from the heat of the blaze prior to the arrival of fire crews late Friday night

By Galen Simmons

The cause of a fire that injured one residents and displaced others at the Opera House apartment building in downtown St. Marys is still under investigation, the town’s fire chief says.

According to St. Marys Fire Chief Phil West, the local fire department received the call at 11:43 p.m. July 4. The fire department sent all three of its fire trucks, with the ladder truck first on scene at the Water Street South building, located between Queen Street East and Jones Street East. Fire officials called for backup from the Uniondale and Granton stations, which supplied five more trucks including a pumper.

“There was heavy smoke coming from second-story window; the window had busted out from heat prior to arrival,” West told the Independent. “Within a minute or two, we could see flame and smoke coming from the window. The St. Marys Fire Department attacked with a short, quick attack from outside and made entry promptly after for search and rescue and to extinguish the fire with an interior attack.

“The fire was contained to the one unit with no fire spread past the initial unit. The Granton and Uniondale fire departments assisted with searching all apartments, working with the St. Marys team and assisting us with other key operations.”

According to West, the tenant who lived in the unit where the fire started refused medical treatment at the scene, however he said they may have been treated for burns later.

Residents were allowed to return briefly to their units after it was safe to do so later in the morning on July 5 to retrieve their phones, medications and pet supplies. One business on the ground floor of the building remained closed as of Monday, West said.

West said it is too early to determine the extent of the damage. The cause of the fire is still under investigation and the Office of the Fire Marshal has been contacted.

“The St. Marys Fire Department would like to thank the individuals that called 911, that banged on some doors to alert residents and the resident that pulled the (building fire alarm),” West said.

“The St. Marys Fire Department is pleased to report that smoke detectors were working at the time of the fire. We would like to remind everyone that smoke alarms should be tested monthly and batteries should be changed when you change your clocks. Residents should also check for expiry dates on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms so they will work as intended in case of fire.”