Woodstock landlord and business owner fined for fire code violations

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A combined $17,000 in fines has been handed down following a pair of fires in the city.

Woodstock Fire Department firefighters responded to a report of a fire inside a residential house located at 91 Tennyson Street on Sept. 22, 2025. Upon arrival, they found an active fire in the basement, which they successfully extinguished. Before the fire department arrived, a smoke alarm activated in the upper unit, alerting residents who evacuated the lower unit basement occupants.

A post-fire inspection revealed Ontario Fire Code infractions, and the homeowner was charged with having an unapproved additional residential dwelling unit in a single-family house, failing to replace a smoke alarm as per the manufacturer’s instructions, failing to maintain a smoke alarm in operating condition and failing to test smoke alarms annually and after every change in tenancy. He was also charged with failing to install a carbon monoxide alarm adjacent to each sleeping area and failing to test carbon monoxide alarms annually and after every change in tenancy.

The homeowner pleaded guilty to all charges on Jan. 15 and was fined $10,000 plus a victim surcharge and court costs.

“These efforts enhance citizen safety and awareness while reinforcing the importance of adhering to fire safety regulations,” said Fire Chief Jeff Slager.

Fire crews responded to a blaze in a paint booth at Jeamar Winches Ltd., located at 34 Bysham Drive, on Nov. 13, 2025. The company, which has been operating for more than 40 years, specializes in the design and manufacture of heavy-duty winching solutions. Firefighters arrived within minutes and quickly brought the fire under control.

After an investigation by the Fire Prevention Division, several violations of the Ontario Fire Code were uncovered and filed with the Oxford Provincial Offences Court. The charges included failing to check and clean spray booth ducts and filters, failing to keep records of inspections and paint deposit removal, failing to prepare and implement an approved fire safety plan, and failing to inspect the fire suppression system protecting the spray booth.

The business owner pleaded guilty to all charges on Jan. 15 and was fined a total of $7,000 plus a victim surcharge and court costs.

“We are committed to community safety through rigorous Fire Code enforcement," said Slager. "Our continued efforts will ensure that Woodstock business owners and landlords understand their responsibilities, thereby ensuring the safety of workers, customers, and business locations."