A house fire at 1012 Armit Ave. N. on Sunday afternoon was caused by a child playing with matches, Fort Frances Fire Chief Steve Richardson said Monday morning.
Chief Richardson said firefighters were called to the house at 3:28 p.m. on Sunday, where they discovered a small blaze contained to an upstairs bedroom.
A babysitter and several children had been at the home at the time the fire started, he noted, adding the babysitter was alerted to the fire by a working a smoke alarm.
“She quickly went to the neighbours and called 9-1-1,” said Chief Richardson, adding no one was hurt.
Firefighters spent about 15 minutes extinguishing the fire. Then they remained on the scene for several hours to determine the cause of the fire and assess the damage.
About $15,000 in damage was incurred, most of it due to smoke.
Due to the accidental nature of the fire, no charges were laid. But Chief Richardson said the incident reinforced the fire department’s adage, “Children shouldn’t play with fire.”
“If parents have lighters and matches in the home, ensure they are kept in a locked area, away from children,” he stressed.
“If they have concerns their children have been playing with fire, call Family and Children Services or the fire department, and we’ll work with them through TAPP-C, the arson prevention program for children,” he added.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
