DUNNVILLE—A fire that erupted late in the night on December 3, 2024 in a multi-unit residence on Alder Street in Dunnville sent four people to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The fire, which started in the basement of the building and quickly spread throughout the structure, caused significant damage.
At approximately 11:50 p.m., members of the Haldimand detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), along with Haldimand County Fire and Paramedic Services, responded to reports of the blaze.
Firefighters from five stations, with approximately 50 personnel and nine fire apparatus, battled the fire through challenging weather conditions, including snow and wind, which fueled the flames.
The fire was declared under control at 6:58 a.m. on December 4, after nearly seven hours of intensive effort, Haldimand County Fire Chief Jason Gallagher told The Press.
The fire spread rapidly due to the type of construction used in the building, known as “balloon construction”, explained Gallagher. He said this method involves long, continuous studs that extend from the foundation to the roof, allowing the fire to travel quickly throughout the structure.
Fortunately, working smoke alarms were present, helping to alert residents to the danger so they could escape. Gallagher confirmed that four people were taken to hospital, though none sustained life-threatening injuries.
The road was initially closed, but it has since been reopened.
The OPP Major Crime Unit and the Office of the Fire Marshal are actively involved in the investigation, and police have arrested an individual in connection with the fire, a 60-year-old man from Dunnville.
He is facing a charge of Arson – Disregard for Human Life.
The accused was scheduled to appear in court on December 6, 2024 in Cayuga, but the matter was adjourned and rescheduled to for December 10 at 12:30 p.m.
Damage to the property has been estimated at over $750,000, and investigators are continuing to gather information as they work to determine the cause of the blaze.
