By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – A litter of kittens is resting at the animal shelter after being rescued from a smoke engulfed apartment, sparked by a kitchen fire, in the city’s east-end.
The Cornwall Fire Department received a call at 3:06 p.m. on Saturday (August 15) reporting smoke billowing from a fourplex in the 300 block of Louisa Street.
There were no injuries reported.
Acting Platoon Chief Jody Dewar told Seaway News the tenant forgot to turn off a stove element before leaving the bottom apartment.
The six unattended pets fought for air until ten firefighters and four fire trucks arrived at the scene and quickly doused the blaze.
Dewar said since the tenant was unable to afford veterinarian care, the felines were willingly surrendered to SD&G SPCA.
“They appeared fine, but a few suffered a little smoke inhalation,” he added.
The apartment’s cupboards, stove, and kitchen walls suffered heavy smoke damage and a few windows were broken. The apartment above also incurred smoke damage.
According to the report, there were active fire alarms in all units and the other tenants were outside when crews arrived. One upstairs apartment is currently vacant.
“We’ve ruled the incident as accidental in nature,” said Dewar.
Firefighters wrapped up the scene at about 5:00 p.m.
The investigation is closed and the building has been turned over to its owner.
