Tag Archives: Ontario

Other - Retail, Retail

Fort Frances, ON, Canada – Late night arson fire at tire shop contained by sprinkler system

Rainy River District OPP have a youth offender in custody following an arson investigation that resulted from a late night fire at the Fort Frances Canadian Tire store.

In a post made to their Facebook page early this morning, Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Services noted that they responded to the retail store at approximately 11:04 p.m. last night, Thursday, December 18, 2025. OPP officers were already on scene upon arrival at Canadian Tire, and firefighters noted heavy smoke and low visibility when they entered the store.

Canadian Tires’ sprinkler system had activated and contained the fire to a limited area, and firefighters were able to make “a quick interior attack” to bring the fire under control.

A primary and secondary search were performed to ensure no occupants were within the building, and it was subsequently ventilated to help clear hazardous smoke.

Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Services noted that firefighters and other first responders faced “extreme cold conditions” during the effort to put out the fire.

As of this morning, the Fort Frances OPP had carriage of the scene to conduct an investigation.

As a result of the investigation, an OPP spokesperson confirmed a 15-year-old youth from Fort Frances has been arrested and charged under the Criminal Code with:

  • Arson – damage to property
  • Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
  • Break and enter
  • Uttering threats – cause death or bodily harm
  • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 – 2 counts
  • Fail to comply with probation order
  • Mischief – destroy or damages property

The accused cannot be identified as they are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act and are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Fort Frances on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Services shared that sprinkler systems can make a big difference in local homes and businesses when it comes to protecting from, or lessening, the damage caused by fires to both property and human life.

“Fire protection systems like sprinklers help protect our community, businesses, and first responders,” Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Services said in their post.

”Thanks to all responding agencies for their coordinated efforts.”

The OPP said members of the Fort Frances Crime Unit continue to investigate alongside the Office of the Fire Marshal.

College/University (on campus), School / University

Hamilton, ON, Canada – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at university research lab; No injuries reported

A small fire in the basement of the Communications Research Laboratory, located near the Engineering Technology Building, was quickly extinguished Wednesday afternoon.

The sprinkler system put out the fire and the building was safely evacuated. There were no injuries reported.

The building was briefly closed to be ventilated and assessed for water damage, and has now been cleared and reopened by the Hamilton Fire Department.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Richmond Hill, ON, Canada – Sprinkler system extinguishes arson fire at cinema; No injuries reported

Police have released new video footage that appears to show two suspects using Molotov cocktails to start a fire inside a Richmond Hill cinema while movie-goers were still inside.

The incident happened at a cinema near East Beaver Creek Road and Highway 7 at around 11:10 p.m. on Sunday.

In the video released by police, two suspects are seen arriving at the theatre in a grey SUV and then walking into its lobby.

One of the suspects then places a bag on the ground beside some movie posters.

At that point, both suspects light what appear to be Molotov cocktails and toss them at the bag, causing it to ignite.

The suspects then run out of the theatre and get into the awaiting SUV, which speeds away from the scene.

The whole incident unfolds in approximately 22 seconds.

Police say that the sprinkler system was activated and extinguished the fire.

“There were occupants in a second-floor theatre, however, there were no injuries,” a press release issued on Tuesday notes.

Police say that the vehicle that the suspect arrived in is a grey Acura RDX that was reported stolen in Toronto two days prior.

Police say the first suspect had a medium build and was last seen wearing black shoes, black pants, a black hooded sweatshirt with a white shirt underneath, black gloves and a mask.

The second suspect is also described as having a medium build. He was last seen wearing white shoes, black pants, a grey hooded sweatshirt, black gloves and a mask.

Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Bradford, ON, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for apartment fire at senior complex

One person was transported to hospital for precautionary reasons following a fire at a Bradford seniors complex Monday night.

Bradford Fire and Emergency Services crews were called to 100 Miller Park Ave. shortly after 10 p.m. They arrived on scene to find a fire in the bedroom of a third-floor unit.

The department says there was one person in the apartment and they were taken by County of Simcoe paramedics to hospital.

“Sprinklers helped contain the fire to the room of origin,” Fire Chief Michael Rozario said Tuesday morning. “There is water damage in several units below.”

The affordable-housing complex is operated by the Simcoe County Housing Corporation, a division of the County of Simcoe.

Rozario says affected residents are receiving support from the county.

County social housing director Brad Spiewak says water from the sprinkler system damaged three other units, but no residents were displaced.

“Our building fire systems were immediately activated containing the fire to one unit,” he said. “One resident stayed offsite to allow for further cleanup. Social services staff were on-site until Tuesday morning for clean up and to ensure the safety of all residents and work continues today and into this week. All efforts are being made to move affected residents back into their unit as quickly as possible.

“Thankfully, no residents reported serious injury.”

Auto Dealership, Retail

Halton Hills, ON, Canada – Sprinkler system contains fire at car dealership

Georgetown Toyota is open for business today after a sprinkler system helped contain a fire in its service area last night.

Halton Hills firefighters responded to the call at the Guelph Street business around 10:30 p.m., with smoke showing upon arrival.

Initial reports indicate that a battery charger in the service area had caught fire.

The building’s sprinkler system helped keep the blaze and its associated damage isolated.

Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

Cambridge, ON, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for fire at Cintas facility; No injuries reported

An early morning fire at a Cambridge business caused significant damage.

Emergency services were called to a fire at the Cintas Uniform Company on Turnbull Court around 3:30 a.m. Monday.

Cambridge Fire told CTV News there were no injuries and no one was inside at the time.

Damage to the building is substantial, they added.

Cambridge Fire said it was an offensive attack to contain and suppress the fire with the assistance of the building sprinkler system.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Officials said it’s unlikely workers will be able to return to work Monday due to poor air quality inside the building.

Cambridge Fire wrapped up the investigation by Monday evening and said the building was released back to the owner to start the clean up process.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Penetanguishene, ON, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for suspicious fire in former hospital; No injuries reported

Fire officials say they battled flames at a former hospital in Penetanguishene on Monday, believing it suspicious.

Around 9:30 p.m., the Penetanguishene Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire at 58 Church Street, fire chief Richard Renaud wrote in an email to Barrie 360.

He says crews arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the front door.

“The building, a sprinklered former hospital (Beechwood Hospital), was vacant and for sale at the time of the fire,” said Renaud. “Initial reports were that people were possibly inside. That information turned out to be false.”

Firefighters quickly knocked down the blaze and searched the building.

“The building’s operating sprinkler system kept the fire isolated to the area of origin,” said Renaud. “There were no operating smoke alarms in the building.”

The fire is considered suspicious, according to Renaud. The fire marshal has been contacted and OPP are securing the scene.

He added that there were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.

“[I] would like to remind everyone to make sure they have working Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms in their homes,” said Renaud. “Early detection is key in surviving a fire. Test your devices today.”

Hospital/Care Facility, Hospital/Medical Clinic

Ottawa, ON, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at hospital; No injuries reported

Police charged an Ottawa man with arson Friday after an early-morning fire inside the Civic Hospital emergency department.

The department remained open and operational throughout the day.

Jean-François Lalonde, 43, was to appear in court Friday to face charges of arson endangering life, arson to property, possessing incendiary materials and breach of probation, the Ottawa Police Service said in a news release.

Police said hospital security had already taken a suspect into custody by the time emergency services responded to the fire at 6:34 a.m. The fire was extinguished by the hospital’s sprinkler system.

The Ottawa Hospital declared a “Code Red” at 6:30 a.m. because of the fire. About 30 patients had to be moved to other areas of the facility, hospital spokesperson Rebecca Abelson said.

A spokesperson for Ottawa Fire Services said a sprinkler head was activated when they arrived and firefighters helped clean up the water.

No staff or patient injuries were reported, Abelson said.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Oakville, ON, Canada – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at community center

The Oakville Fire Department says no injuries were reported following a fire at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre on Monday, July 17.

At around 8:30 p.m., the 2302 Bridge Rd. facility was evacuated due to a small fire in one of the board rooms.

“We believe there were items placed on top of a charging station that kind of smothered and caused something to overheat creating a small fire,” said Oakville Fire Chief Paul Boissonneault.

“The fire was extinguished by the sprinkler system and then our crews removed the remanent components when they arrived.”

The fire chief said firefighters also ventilated the building to get rid of the smell of burnt plastic.

The community centre was able to open its doors on Tuesday as per usual.

Damage to the boardroom is said to be minimal.

“The sprinklers certainly did their job,” said Boissonneault.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Ottawa, ON, Canada – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at commercial business; No injuries reported

It was a busy morning for Ottawa firefighters.

Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) responded to two commercials fires within a one hour time period Tuesday morning.

Firefighters were first called to a commercial structure in the 3000 block of Strandherd Drive shortly before 1:30 a.m.

Upon arrival, firefighters were met by staff reporting an odour in the building, but nothing visible.

Firefighters located a door with smoke coming out around the back of the building and could hear several alarms going off.

A working fire was declared, though further investigation revealed the fire had been extinguished by the building sprinkler system.

The fire was under control by 2:25 a.m. and there were no injuries reported.