Fire fatalities in the province of Ontario in 1955 investigated by the Fire Research Section

Publisher’s version / Version de l'éditeur:

Vous avez des questions? Nous pouvons vous aider. Pour communiquer directement avec un auteur, consultez la première page de la revue dans laquelle son article a été publié afin de trouver ses coordonnées. Si vous n’arrivez pas à les repérer, communiquez avec nous à PublicationsArchive-ArchivesPublications@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Questions? Contact the NRC Publications Archive team at

PublicationsArchive-ArchivesPublications@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca. If you wish to email the authors directly, please see the first page of the publication for their contact information.

https://publications-cnrc.canada.ca/fra/droits

L’accès à ce site Web et l’utilisation de son contenu sont assujettis aux conditions présentées dans le site LISEZ CES CONDITIONS ATTENTIVEMENT AVANT D’UTILISER CE SITE WEB.

Internal Report (National Research Council of Canada. Division of Building Research), 1956-09-01

READ THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS WEBSITE.

https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/copyright

NRC Publications Archive Record / Notice des Archives des publications du CNRC : https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/object/?id=60a5e0f2-3a14-4389-867a-b356f0e0736d https://publications-cnrc.canada.ca/fra/voir/objet/?id=60a5e0f2-3a14-4389-867a-b356f0e0736d

NRC Publications Archive

Archives des publications du CNRC

For the publisher’s version, please access the DOI link below./ Pour consulter la version de l’éditeur, utilisez le lien DOI ci-dessous.

https://doi.org/10.4224/20338305

Access and use of this website and the material on it are subject to the Terms and Conditions set forth at

Fire fatalities in the province of Ontario in 1955 investigated by the Fire Research Section

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA

D I V I S I O N O F B U I L D I N G

RESEARCH

F I R E F A T A L I T I E S I N T H E PROVINCE O F ONTARIO I N

1955

INVESTIGATED BY THE

F I R E RESEARCH S E C T 1 ON b y C ,

G,

Burnett

Report No, 90 D i v i s i o n of Building Research OTTAWA September

1956

PREFACE

T h i s i s a companion r e p o r t t o DBR Report No.

86

and r e p r e s e n t s t h e second annual s t a t e m e n t r e g a r d i n g t h e s t u d y of some of t h o s e f i r e s i n t h e Province of O n t a r i o a t which f i r e f a t a l i t i e s o c c u r r e d . It has been p r e p a r e d by M r . C.G. B u r n e t t ,

a

member of t h e F i r e Research S e c t i o n , who b r i n g s t o t h i s t a s k h i s l o n g y e a r s of e x p e r i e n c e as Chief of t h e Ottawa F i r e

Department

.

The D i v i s i o n of B u i l d i n g Research embarked upon t h i s s t u d y of f i r e f a t a l i t i e s i n 1953 and completed i t s f i r s t y e a r of i n v e s t i g a t i o n a t t h e end of 1954. Whenever p o s s i b l e , members of t h e F i r e Research S e c t i o n v i s i t f i r e s i n O n t a r i o a t which f a t a l i t i e s occur and on

a l l

such o c c a s i o n s q u i t e remarkable c o - o p e r a t i o n i s always o b t a i n e d from l o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s .

When i t i s not p o s s i b l e f o r members of DBR s t a f f t o v i s i t f i r e s which involve f a t a l i t i e s , l o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s a r e asked t o supply t h e n e c e s s a r y i n f o r m a t i o n , and t h i s h a s been done

through t h e good o f f i c e s of M r .

W.J.

S c o t t , O.B.E., Q.C.,Fire Marshal of O n t a r i o , and w i t h t h e f u l l a u t h o r i t y and s u p p o r t o f M r . C . R . Magone, Q . C . , Deputy Attorney General f o r O n t a r i o . The D i v i s i o n h e r e r e c o r d s i t s a p p r e c i a t i o n t o t h e s e gentlemen and t o a l l a u t h o r i t i e s , p r o v i n c i a l and m u n i c i p a l , who a r e a s s i s t i n g i n t h i s s t u d y .

DBR Report No.

86

p r e s e n t s a s t a t i s t i c a l a n a l y s i s of f i r e d e a t h s i n t h e Province of O n t a r i o d u r i n g t h e y e a r 1955. When c o n s i d e r e d t o g e t h e r t h e two r e p o r t s make c l e a r t h a t t h e

b a s i c messages of f i r e p r e v e n t i o n must be c o n s t a n t l y r e p e a t e d ,

The s t u d y i s a l s o p o i n t i n g t o ways i n which p r e c a u t i o n s can be t a k e n i n b u i l d i n g s and i n b u i l d i n g c o n s t r u c t i o n t o minimize

this

%r,nual t r a g i c l o s s oS l i f e .

The D i v i s i o n l o o k s forward t o t h e day when i t can summarize enough of t h e s e annual s t u d i e s f o r p r e s e n t a t i o n i n a published document. I n t h e meantime, i t i s hoped t h a t t h e s e p r i v a t e l y c i r c u l a t e d r e p o r t s w i l l be of i n t e r e s t and of some a s s i s t a n c e t o t h o s e concerned w i t h f i r e p r e v e n t i o n i n Canada.

Ottawa

FOREWORD

I n January, 1954, t h e F i r e Research S e c t i o n of t h e D i v i s i o n of Building Research commenced a s t u d y i n t o a l l

f i r e d e a t h s i n t h e Province of Ontario.

It was decided a t t h e beginning of t h i s s t u d y t h a t t h e F i r e Research S e c t i o n would i n v e s t i g a t e

a

number of t h e s e f a t a l f i r e s , This r e p o r t i s t h e second r e p o r t of t h i s study, p r e s e n t i n g summaries of t h o s e f a t a l f i r e s i n v e s t i g a t e d d u r i n g 1955

.

Owing t o t h e g r e a t d i s t a n c e s t o b e t r a v e l l e d i n c a r r y i n g o u t a province-wide study i t has n o t been p o s s i b l e t o i n v e s t i g a t e

a l l t h e f a t a l f i r e s which have occurred. We would t h e r e f o r e l i k e t o r e c o r d our s i n c e r e a p p r e c i a t i o n of t h e s p l e n d i d co-operation which has been r e c e i v e d from a i l municipal and p r o v i n c i a l o f f i - c i a l s who have s u p p l i e d i n f o r m a t i o n i n o r d e r t o make t h i s s t u d y complete. S p e c i a l acknowledgement nus t be made of t h e a s s i s t a n c e of t h e F i r e Marshal of Ontario, Mr.

W,

J. S c o t t , O.B.E., Q.C.

During t h e s e i n v e s t i g a t i o n s i t has become a p p a r e n t t h a t t h e message of f i r e p r e v e n t i o n must b e c o n s t a n t l y r e p e a t e d , I n

a d d i t i o n t o emphasizing f i r e prevention, a t t e n t i o n should be focused on t h e c o r r e c t a c t i o n t o be taken by t h e occupants of a b u i l d i n g when a f i r e i s discovered s o t h a t panic on t h e i r p a r t w i l l be minimized.

A companion r e p o r t , DBR Report No.

86,

p r e s e n t s a

s t a t i s -

FIRE FATALITIES I N THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO I N 1955 INVESTIGATED BY THE

FIRE RESEARCH SECTION

C . G. B u r n e t t The F i r e R e s e a r c h S e c t i o n of t h e Divisi.on of B u i l d i n g R e s e a r c h began

a

s t u d y i n

1954

of a l l f i r e d e a t h s which o c c u r i n t h e P r o v i n c e of O n t a r i o . To supplement t h e i n f o r m a t i o n r e - c e i v e d from p r o v i n c i a l and m u n i c i p a l f i r e o f f i c i a l s t h e F i r e R e s e a r c h S e c t i o n c a r r i e d o u t a l i m i t e d number of f i e l d i n v e s - t i g a t i o n s . S i n c e t h e s e f i e l d i n v e s t i g a t i o n s began, i n 1954, members o f t h e F i r e Research S e c t i o n have t r a v e l l e d

a

d i s t a n c e of 5000 m i l e s i n v e s t i g a t i n g 2 1 f i r e s which were r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e l o s s of 49 l i v e s . The f i e l d i n v e s t i g a t i o n s c a r r i e d o u t i n 1954 have a l r e a d y been d e s c r i b e d i n

D.A.R,

Report No. 71, "F'ire F a t a l i t i e s i n t h e P r o v i n c e of O n t a r i o i n 1954 I n v e s t i g a t e d by

t h e F i r e R e s e a r c h S e c t i o n " .

The g r e a t d i s t a n c e s e n c o u n t e r e d i n c a r r y i n g o u t s u c h f i e l d i n v e s t i g a t i o n s impose a p r a c t i c a l l i m i t on t h e number of i n v e s t i - a a t i o n s which may be u n d e r t a k e n by members of t h e F i r e R e s e a r c h

-

S e c t i o n , When a p e r s o n a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n i s n o t f e a s i b l e a

ire

F a t a l i t y ~ e p o r t " f o r m o r a n " I g n i t e d C l o t h i n g Reportt' form

(Appendix A ) i s s e n t t o t h e f i r e c h i e f of t h e a r e a i n which t h e f a t a l f i r e o c c u r r e d , The " I g n i t e d C l o t h i n g Report" form i s

r e s t r i c t e d t o c a s e s where t h e r e a r e i n d i c a t i o n s t h a t d e a t h h a s been due t o c l o t h i n g becoming i g n i t e d . If s u c h a f i r e i s

i n v e s t i g a t e d by

a

member of t h e O n t a r i o F i r e M a r s h a l l s O f f i c e a r e p o r t i s a u t o m a t i c a l l y forwarded t o t h e F i r e R e s e a r c h S e c t i o n . I n f o r m a t i o n on t h e n a t u r e of t h e f a t a l i n j u r y i s s u p p l i e d a t a l a t e r d a t e by t h e V i t a l S t a t i s t i c s S e c t i o n of t h e O n t a r i o R e g i s t r a r - G e n e r a l ' s O f f i c e , A form, c o n t a i n i n g t h e i n f o r m a t i o n s u p p l i e d on t h e d e a t h c e r t i f i c a t e , i s completed by t h e V i t a l S t a t i s t i c s S e c t i o n and s e n t t o t h e F i r e Research S e c t i o n . D u r i n g t h e c o u r s e of i n v e s t i g a t i o n s , c a r r i e d o u t by members of t h e F i r e R e s e a r c h S e c t i o n , d i s c u s s i o n s a r e h e l d w i t h t h e f i r e o f f i c i a l s and i n t e r e s t e d p a r t i e s i n t h e community, O b s e r v a t i o n s a r e made on a number of p o i n t s s u c h a s t h e i n f l u e n c e of b u i l d i n g c o n s t r u c t i o n and m a t e r i a l s , t h e i n f l u e n c e of t h e c o n t e n t s of t h e b u i l d i n g , e t c . , on t h e f i r e s p r e a d (Appendix A

-

F i r e F a t a l i t y R e p o r t ) , These d a t a a r e supplemented by photographs, measurements and drawings of f l o o r p l a n s ,

These i n v e s t i g a t i o n s a t f a t a l f i r e s have, i n g e n e r a l , been c a r r i e d o u t i n r e s i d e n t i a l b u i l d i n g s . Our s t u d i e s have shown t h a t t h e phenomenon of p a n i c o c c u r s n o t o n l y i n b u i l d i n g s

with large numbers of occupants but can exist even in single-

family residences which do not have the detection and alarm

facilities normally found in the larger buildings. Panic on

the part of any of the occupants can result, and usually does,

in failure to completely evacuate the building and in

a

delayed

alarm to the fire department. This panic in many cases

may

be

attributed not only to a delay in the detection of the fire but

to the rapid spread of fire within a building,

In many instances due to a delayed alarm and the rapid

spread of fire within a building it has not been possible for the

fire department to rescue those trapped in the building,

This report does not present comprehensive and detailed

statements concerning those fatal fires investigated by the

Fire Research Section but rather gives concise s m r i e s illus-

trating the work involved in this study,

FIRE FATALITY STUDY NO.

1/55

Locat ion: Toronto, York County

Date of f i r e :

7

February, 1955 Occupancy: Dwelling

Time of f i r e : Dead:

-

2 males, a g e s

65

and

40

y e a r s :

i

f e & l e , age 40 y e a r s , Members of t h e F i r e Research S e c t i o n v i s i t e d t h e scene of t h i s

f i r e on

8

February, 1955.

1, S t r u c t u r e ,

-

The brick-veneer frame b u i l d i n g was t h r e e s t o r - eys h i g h ,

60

f e e t long and

40

f e e t wide, c o n s t r u c t e d on

a

masonry f o u n d a t i o n (Fig. 1). I n t e r i o r f i n i s h on t h e w a l l s and

c e i l i n g s was l a t h and p l a s t e r , w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n of t h e en- t r a n c e h a l l and s t a i r c a s e where wood s h e a t h i n g , p a i n t e d and varnished, was used f o r a d i s t a n c e of f o u r f e e t from t h e

f l o o r ( F i g , 2 ) . No f i r e e s c a p e s were i n s t a l l e d on t h e b u i l d i n g , making

it

n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e occupants t o escape o u t of t h e

windows,

2, Occu anc

.

-

The b u i l d i n g was occupied a s a rooming house -beber of t h e o l d e r r e s i d e n t s l i v i n g on t h e t h i r d

f l o o r (Fig. 6 ) . A t t h e time of t h e f i r e about 25 people were i n t h e b u i l d i n g ,

3.

H e a t i n ,

-

A coal-burning f u r n a c e was l o c a t e d i n t h e basement, ~ m z a r t m e n t c o n t a i n e d a n e l e c t r i c , gas, o r wood-burning

a p p l i a n c e ( F i g s ,

3

and

8 ) .

Amateur w i r i n g was e v i d e n t through- o u t t h e b u i l d i n g ( F i g ,

41,

4,

Summar ,

-

The f i r e o r i g i n a t e d i n t h e f r o n t e n t r a n c e h a l l d a s t e paper was s t o r e d f o r d i s p o s a l ( F i g . 2). The f i r e

d i d n o t extend beyond t h e second f l o o r hallway [Fig.

5 )

b u t t h e r i s i n g h e a t and gases k i l l e d t h r e e people on t h e t h i r d f l o o r ( F i g . 6 ) ,

S0

Remarks,

-

Poor housekeeping and maintenance i n t h i s d w e l l i n g c r e a t e d a f i r e hazard. F i r e escapes were n o t provided from t h e t h i r d f l o o r , which c o n t a i n e d only s m a l l windows ( F i g , l), Escape could be made only down a narrow s t a i r c a s e t o t h e

second f l o o r , The open door l e a d i n g up t h e s t a i r c a s e p e r m i t t e d smoke and gases t o r i s e r a p i d l y t o t h e t h i r d f l o o r ( F i g ,

7)-

Cause of t h e f i r e w a s n o t d etermined, but t h e combustible

m a t e r i a l s t o r e d a t t h e e n t r a n c e h a l l c r e a t e d a f i r e hazard, F i g u r e 8 shows room o f f t h e hallway where a door remained c l o s e d ,

FIRE FATALITY STUDY No,

2/55

Locat ion: Pembroke, Renfrew County Occupancg: Dwelling

Date of f i r e :

14

February, 1955

-

Dead: 1 female, age 2 y88rSa

Time of f i r e : 2.00 porn,

Members of t h e F i r e Research S e c t i o n v i s i t e d t h e scene of t h e f i r e on

18 February, 1955,

1. S t r u c t u r e

-

The frame b u i l d i n g was one s t o r e y high, 30 f e e t l o n g , 20 f e e t wide, b u i l t on a masonry foundation, w i t h o u t

a

basement, The p i t c h e d roof was covered w i t h r o l l e d r o o f i n g , E x t e r i o r w a l l s were f i n i s h e d w i t h combustible board over wood frame ( F i g ,

9).

Sawdust was used a s i n s u l a t i o n , The d w e l l i n g c o n s i s t e d of f o u r rooms

-

two bedrooms, l i v i n g room and k i t c h e n , I n t e r i o r w a l l s , c e i l i n g s and p a r t i t i o n s were f i n i s h e d w i t h combustible board ( F i g , 10). No d o o r s were hung on i n t e r i o r p a r t i t i o n s ,

2. Occu anc

-

The d w e l l i n g accommodated a f a m i l y of f i v e , A t &of t h e f i r e o n l y t h e t h r e e c h i l d r e n were i n t h e b u i l d i n g .

3 ,

H e a t i n

-

The b u i l d i n g was h e a t e d by a c o a l and wood s t o v e

d k i t c h e n (Fig. 1 1 ) and a n o i l - b u r n i n g u n i t i n t h e

l i v i n g room, An e l e c t r i c s t o v e and a n e l e c t r i c washing machine were a l s o used i n t h e d w e l l i n g ,

4.

Summar

-

A t t h e time of t h e f i r e t h e f a t h e r was a t work and d t h e r was v i s i t i n g a n e i g h b o w . The f i r e was d i s c o v e r e d

by a passer-by who e n t e r e d t h e s i d e door and r e s c u e d two of t h e t h r e e childrpen from t h e i r beds, The v i c t i m was found a s p h y x i a t e d i n bed by t h e firemen ( F i g , 1 0 ) .

Remarks

-

C o n t i n u a l o v e r l o a d i n g of t h e e l e c t r i c a l c i r c u i t s m n t u a l l y broken down t h e w i r i n g i n s u l a t i o n c a u s i n g a

f i r e i n t h e a t t i c space, The m o t h e r - s t a t e d t h a t w h i l e u s i n g t h e e l e c t r i c a l a p p l i a n c e s a s t r o n g b u r n i n g odour was n o t i c e - a b l e and i t was n e c e s s a r y t o shut down t h e e l e c t r i c washer b e f o r e v i s i t - t h e neighbour, This b u r n i n g odour was n o t i c e - a b l e on p r e v i o u s o c c a s i o n s but no a c t i o n was taken. Fuses of 30-amperes were found i n t h e c i r c u i t box. ( F i g u r e 1 2 shows a r e a r view of t h e d w e l l i n g ) .

FIRE FATALITY STTIDY NO,

3/55

Location: Ottawa, C a r l e t on County Occupancy: Dwelling

D a t e of f i r e : 1 March, 1955

-

Dead: 1 male, a g e 20 months

Time of f i r e : 2.30 a.m.

Members of t h e F i r e R e s e a r c h S e c t i o n v i s f t e d t h e s c e n e of t h i s f i r e o n 1 March,

1955

1, S t r u c t u r e

-

The wood-frame b u i l d i n g w a s one s t o r e y h i g h , 25 f e e t long, 20 f e e t wide, b u i l t on a masonry f o u n d a t i o n , w i t h - o u t a basement. The shed r o o f was c o v e r e d w i t h r o l l e d r o o f i n g . The e x t e r i o r w a l l s were rough b o a r d s c o v e r e d w i t h t a r p a p e r . E n t r a n c e was made t h r o u g h a d o o r a t t h e r e a r ( F i

.

The b u i l d i n g c o n t a i n e d t h r e e bedrooms and a k i t c h e n ? F i i ? ' i s ) . I n t e r i o r f i n i s h o f c e i l i n g , w a l l s and p a r t i t i o n s w a s combus- t i b l e board,

2. Occu anc

-

The b u i l d i n g a c c o m o d a t e d a f a m i l y of t e n , a l l of

a s l e e p i n t h e d w e l l i n g a t t h e t i m e of t h e f i r e .

3.

H e a t i n

-

The b u i l d i n g was h e a t e d w i t h a c o a l and wood s t o v e

d

i n t h e k i t c h e n a t t h e r e a r of t h e d w e l l i n g . The smoke p i p e e n t e r e d a b r a c k e t chlmney on t h e e a s t w a l l .

4.

Summary

-

The f i r e o r i g i n a t e d i n t h e k i t c h e n of t h e d w e l l i n g and made r a p i d p r o g r e s s i n t h e i n t e r i o r c o n s t r u c t i o n b e f o r e b e i n g d e t e c t e d . The o n l y e x i t doorway l e a d i n g from t h e k i t c h e n was i n v o l v e d i n f l a m e s , which r e q u i r e d n i n e of t h e o c c u p a n t s

t o make t h e i r escape t h r o u g h t h e bedroom windows. One boy, 20 months o l d , w a s a s p h y x i a t e d , The d w e l l i n g was c o m p l e t e l y d e s t r o y e d ( F i g .

14),

5.

Remarhs

-

Dwellings of t h i s c l a s s were f o r m e r l y p e r m i t t e d t o be c o n s t r u c t e d i n some of t h e a r e a s r e c e n t l y annexed by t h e c i t y , Loss of l i f e has been v e r y p r e v a l e n t i n a r e a s where b u i l d i n g by-laws k n o t e x i s t o r have n o t been enforced. A

second doorway s u i t a b l y l o c a t e d would have provided a s a f e means of e g r e s s f o r t h e o c c u p a n t s of t h i s d w e l l i n g , The r a p i d p r o g r e s s made by t h e f i r e i n t h e i n t e r i o r c o n s t r u c t i o n made r e s c u e o p e r a t i o r s d i f f i c u l t .

FIRE

FATALITY No.

4/55

Locat ion: Albion Road, C a r l e t o n County Occupancy: d w e l l i n g Date of f i r - e :

31

March, 1955

Time of f i r e :

-

7.30

p.m.

Dead: 1 male, age 8 1 y e a r s ;

-

_{1 female, age 76}

y e a r s .

Members of t h e F i r e Research S e c t i o n v i s i t e d t h e scene of t h i s f i r e on 1 A p r i l , 1955

S t r u c t u r e

-

The wood-frame dwelling was one s t o r e y high, 24 f e e t l o n g , 26 f e e t wide, b u i l t on a plank f o u n d a t i o n without a base- ment, The p i t c h e d roof was covered w i t h r o l l e d r o o f i n g . E x t e r i o r w a l l s were sheathed w i t h t a r p a p e r over rough lumber. The i n t e r i o r of t h e dwelling c o n t a i n e d two rooms

-

a

bedroom and k i t c h e n . The f i n i s h on w a l l s , c e i l i n g s and p a r t i t i o n s was combustible board. F l o o r s were V-joint on plank ( F i g . 1 6 ) . Entrance was made by

a doorway a t t h e r e a r ( F i g , 1 7 ) .

2, Occu anc

-

An aged couple, one of whom w a s b l i n d , l i v e d a l o n e & e l l i n e . Both victoms were found i n t h e i r bedroom

( F i g e

1 6 ) .

3,

Heatin

-

The b u i l d i n g was heated w i t h two s t o v e s

-

a Quebec d i n t h e bedroom and a wood s t o v e used f o r cooking l o c a t e d

i n t h e k i t c h e n (Fig. 1 9 ) . Smoke pipes from t h e s t o v e s e n t e r e d

a b r a c k e t chimney l o c a t e d on t h e p a r t i t i o n s e p a r a t i n g t h e two rooms. O i l lamps were used f o r l i g h t i n g purposes.

4.

Summary

-

The f i r e w a s n o t i c e d by a neighbour, some d i s t a n c e away, who s t a t e d t h a t t h e b u i l d i n g was completely involved, making r e s c u e very d i f f i c u l t . The cause of t h e f i r e could n o t be d e f i n i t e l y determined owing t o complete d e s t r u c t i o n of t h e b u i l d i n g , The use of o i l lamps may have been a f a c t o r .

5.

Remarks

-

Dwellings of t h i s c l a s s when p e r m i t t e d t o be b u i l t p r e s e n t

a

f i r e hazard f o r t h e occupants. C o n s i d e r a t i o n i s never g i v e n t o t h e s a f e t y of l i f e when only one e x f t i s provided, a s w a s t h e c a s e i n t h i s d w e l l i n g ,

Locat ion: Kemptville, C a r l e t o n County Occupancy: S t o r e s and a p a r t m e n t Date of f i r e : 29 May, 1955 Time of f i r e : 6,00 a.m, Dead:

3

males, a g e s 37,

-

_{30 and 6 y e a r s :} y e a r s Members of t h e F i r e Research S e c t i o n v i s i t e d t h e s c e n e of t h i s f i r e on 30 May, 1955.

S t r u c t u r e

-

The b u i l d i n g w a s 96 f e e t long, 36 f e e t wide and t h r e e s t o r e y s h i g h , The f r o n t and end w a l l s were b r i c k v e n e e r

( F i g . 2 0 ) . The r e a r w a l l was s h e a t h e d w i t h wood s i d i n g , The shed r o o f was c o v e r e d w i t h wood s h i n g l e s and t i n s h e e t i n g , Wood b a l c o n i e s were c o n s t r u c t e d a t t h e r e a r of t h e b u i l d i n g , w i t h s t a i r s t o ground l e v e l ( F i g , 2 1 ) . I n t e r i o r f i n i s h of w a l l s , c e i l i n g s and p a r t i t i o n s c o n s i s t e d of l a t h , p l a s t e r and c o m b u s t i b l e b o a r d o v e r wood f r a m e ( F i g s , 24 and 2 5 ) .

2, Occupancy

-

The b u i l d i n g accommodated s t o r e s on t h e ground f l o o r w i t h a p a r t m e n t s and s t o r a g e on t h e second and t h i r d f l o o r s , A t

t h e time of t h e f i r e t h e r e were s i x p e o p l e i n t h e a p a r t m e n t where t h e f i r e o r i g i n a t e d ,

3.

H e a t i n g

-

Each s t o r e and a p a r t m e n t was h e a t e d s e p a r a t e l y by a c o a l o r o i l s t o v e , A number of b r a c k e t chimneys were c o n s t r u c t e d a t t h e r e a r of t h e b u i l d i n g on t h e second f l o o r ( F i g . 2 1 ) .

Surnmar

-

The f i r e o r i g i n a t e d i n t h e l i v i n g room of t h e v i c t i m ' s a p a r ment on t h e second f l o o r ( F i g . 2 2 ) and w a s d i s c o v e r e d by

40

-9-

one of t h e o c c u p a n t s B l e e p i n g i n t h e room who escaped down t h e f r o n t s t a i r c a s e ( F i g , 2 3 ) , The f o u r v i c t i m s were a s p h y x i a t e d w h i l e s l e e p i n g i n t h e bedroom a d j a c e n t t o t h e l i v i n g room ( F i g , 2 5 ) m

5,,

Remarks

-

Crowded l i v i n g c o n d i t i o n s e x i s t e d i n t h i s two-roomed a p a r t m e n t and c a r e l e s s smoking was p r o b a b l y r e s p o n s i b l e f o r

i g n i t i n g a c h e s t e r f i e l d c h a i r ( F i g , 2 2 ) , The f i r e s p r e a d r a p i d l y t o t h e p l a s t i c c u r t a i n s and combustible-board w a l l s

and c e i l i n g s , a s p h y x i a t i n g t h e o c c u p a n t s i n t h e bedroom b e f o r e t h e y could be r e s c u e d , The f i r e w a s c o n f i n e d m a i n l y t o t h e f l o o r of o r i g i n ,

FIRE FATALITY NO,

6/55

Location: B a n c r o f t , H a s t i n g s County Occupancy: W e l l i n g Date of f i r e : 29 October, 1955

Time of f i r e : 3.00 a.m.

Dead: 1 male, age 8 y e a r s ;

-

_{1 female, a g e}

₁₃

y e a r s .

Members of t h e F i r e R e s e a r c h S e c t i o n v i s i t e d t h e s c e n e of t h i s f i r e on 29 October,

1955,

S t r u c t u r e

-

The frame b u i l d i n g was 27 f e e t long, 14 f e e t wide, 1 % - s t o r e y s high, b u i l t of wood on a masonry f o u n d a t i o n . The p i t c h e d r o o f was c o v e r e d w i t h r o l l e d r o o f i n g , w i t h a b u i l t - i n dormer window, E x t e r i o r w a l l s were s h e a t h e d w i t h i m i t a t i o n s t o n e s i d i n g ( F i g . 2 6 ) . The d w e l l i n g c o n t a i n e d f o u r rooms, two on e a c h f l o o r , The b u i l d i n g w a s wired f o r e l e c t r i c i t y , b u t had no r u n n i n g w a t e r . I n t e r i o r w a l l s and c e i l i n g s were f i n i s h e d w i t h c o m b u s t i b l e board and f e l t paper o v e r rough b o a r d s . Wood s h a v i n g s were used a s i n s u l a t i o n ( F i g , 2 7 ) .

2. Occu anc

-

The b u i l d i n g accommodated a f a m i l y of e i g h t a t t h e &he f i r e . The mother and s i x c h i l d r e n , r a n ~ i n g i n a g e f r o m 6 months t o

13

y e a r s , were i n t h e d w e l l i n g .

he

f a t h e r -

was a b s e n t .

3. H e a t i n q

-

The b u i l d i n g was h e a t e d by a n o i l s t o v e i n t h e l i v i n g room and a c o a l and wood s t o v e , used f o r cooking, l o c a t e d i n t h e k i t c h e n . Smoke p i p e s e n t e r e d a b r a c k e t chimney on t h e w a l l s e p a r a t i n g t h e two .ground f l o o r rooms ( F i g , 27).

4.

Summary;

-

The o c c u p a n t s s l e e p i n g on t h e f i r s t f l o o r woke t o f i n d t h e s t a i r c a s e l e a d i n g f r o m t h e l i v i n g room i n v o l v e d i n f i r e , making i t n e c e s s a r y t o e s c a p e o u t of t h e s m a l l windows l o c a t e d a t t h e n o r t h end of t h e b u i l d i n g ( F i g ,

28).

The g i r l , a e e d

13

y e a r s , who l a t e r d i e d from s e v e r e b u r n s , dropped a l l t h e c h i l d r e n e x c e p t one o u t o f t h e window b e f o r e e s c a p i n g , One v i c t i m , aged

8

y e a r s , was found under t h e b e d c l o t h e s a s p h y x i a t e d ,

5.

Remarks

-

T h i s c l a s s of b u i l d i n g c o n s t r u c t i o n l e n d s i t s e l f t o

a r a p i d f i r e spread. The s t a i r c a s e e n t e r i n g t h e bedroom and t h e l a c k o f d o o r s on room p a r t i t i o n s p e r m i t t e d t h e f i r e t o s p r e a d , t h e r e b y t r a p p i n g t h e o c c u p a n t s . Crowded c o n d i t i o n s p r e v a i l i n most of t h e s e d w e l l i n g s , where no thought i s g i v e n t o s a f e t y of l i f e . A c a u s e f o r t h e f i r e could n o t be d e t e r - mined due t o t h e amount of i n t e r i o r b u r n i n g ,

FIRE FATALITY STUDY No.,

7/55

Location: S t , Onge, R u s s e l l County

Date of f i r e :

7

December, 1955 Occupancg: Farm d w e l l i n g Dead: 2 f e m a l e s , a g e s

81

-

_and

₄₆

_{y e a r s .} .

-

Time of f i r e : 3.00 p.m. Members of t h e F i r e Research S e c t i o n v i s i t e d t h e s c e n e o f t h i s f i r e o n

8

December, 1955.

S t r u c t u r e

-

The two-storey frame d w e l l i n g was 20 f e e t l o n g , 25 f e e t wide and c o n s t r u c t e d on a masonry f o u n d a t i o n , The p i t c h e d roof was covered w i t h a s b e s t o s s h i n g l e s . A shed 30 f e e t - l o n g ,

15

f e e t wide, used f o r a n o u t s i d e k i t c h e n and f o r s t o r a g e ( F i g ,

30)

w a s a t t a c h e d t o t h e e a s t s i d e of t h e b u i l d i n g . The p i t c h e d shed r o o f was c o v e r e d w i t h r o l l e d r o o f i n g , The ground f l o o r c o n t a i n e d k i t c h e n , bedroom and u t i l i t y room. The f i r s t f l o o r had t h r e e bedrooms. I n t e r i o r w a l l s , c e i l i n g s , and p a r t i t i o n s were p r e p a r e d , c o m b u s t i b l e board ( F i g . 31).

2. Occu a n c

-

The d w e l l i n g n o r m a l l y accommodated s i x p e o p l e , A t

&of t h e f i r e o n l y t h e two v i c t i m s were i n t h e b u i l d i n g ,

3.

H e a t i n

-

The d w e l l i n g w a s h e a t e d w i t h a Quebec h e a t e r and a n o i l

d

t h e k i t c h e n , w i t h p i p e s l e a d i n g t o a b r a c k e t chimney c o n s t r u c t e d on t h e n o r t h w a l l . An e l e d t r i c s t o v e l o c a t e d i n t h e k i t c h e n w a s u s e d f o r cooking.

4.

Summar

-

D i s c o v e r y o f t h e f i r e was made when a p a s s e r - b y n o t i c e d d s s u i n g fr o m t h e eaves of t h e r o o f , On i n v e s t i g a t i n g he

f6und a l l d o o r s and windows l o c k e d and i t was assumed t h a t no one was i n t h e b u i l d i n g . On a r r i v a l of a v o l u n t e e r f i r e d e p a r t - ment from a nearby town t h e two v i c t i m s were found on t h e k i t c h e n f l o o r , a s p h y x i a t e d ( F i g , 3 2 ) . The b u i l d i n g w a s d e s t r o y e d , making

i t d i f f i c u l t t o d e t e r m i n e t h e c a u s e o f t h e f i r e .

se

Comments

-

The o c c u p a n t s of t h e d w e l l i n g , one of whom was b l i n d , may have f a l l e n a s l e e p and wakened i n a semi-conscious c o n d i t i o n , E a r l y i n s p e c t i o n of t h e d w e l l l n g on d i s c o v e r y of t h e f i r e might have p r e v e n t e d l o s s o f l i f e ,

FIRE FATALITY STUDY No.

8/55

Location: Ottawa, C a r l e t o n County Occupancy: Dwelling

Date of f i r e :

17

December, 1955 Time of f i r e :

8:30

a.m. Dead:

-

2 males, a g e s

4

and 2* y e a r s ;

4

f e m a l e s , a g e s 24,

5

y e a r s and t w i n s 1 month o l d , Members of t h e F i r e Research S e c t i o n v i s i t e d t h e s c e n e of t h i s f i r e on

17

December, 1955

1. S t r u c t u r e

-

The t w o - s t o r e y b u i l d i n g was of frame,

35

f e e t l o n g , 30 f e e t wide, w i t h a basement, b u i l t on a masonry f o u n d a t i o n

( F i g , 3 3 ) . The p i t c h e d r o o f was c o v e r e d w i t h a s b e s t o s s h i n g l e s . E x t e r i o r w a l l s were f i n i s h e d on t h e e x t e r i o r w i t h wood s i d i n g . The p o u n d f l o o r c o n t a i n e d a k i t c h e n , l i v i n g room and one bedroom, The f i r s t f l o o r had two bedrooms and bathroom. I n t e r i o r f i n i s h on walls and m i l i n g s was l a t h and p l a s t e r , w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n of t h e k i t c h e n which had wood V-joint and c o m b u s t i b l e board f i n i s h on t h e w a l l s , w i t h a c o m b u s t i b l e board c e i l i n g ( F i g . 3 4 ) , Amateur w i r i n g was e v i d e n t i n t h e d w e l l i n g ( F i g .

35).

2, Occupancy

-

The d w e l l i n g accommodated a f a m i l y of seven. The f a t h e r , mother and t w i n b a b i e s occupied t h e ground f l o o r bedroom

( F i g . 38), w i t h t h r e e c h i l d r e n on t h e f i r s t f l o o r ( ~ i ~ .

39).

A l l

o c c u p a n t s were i n t h e i r beds a t t h e time of t h e f i r e .

3.

H e a t i n

-

The d w e l l i n g was h e a t e d w i t h a p i p e l e s s f u r n a c e i n t h e

d t under t h e e n t r a n c e hallwag ( F i g .

361,

and a Quebec h e a t e r i n t h e k i t c h e n . qooking w a s done w i t h - a n e l e c t r i c s t o v e

(Fig.

35).

E l e c t r i c w i r i n g t h r o u g h o u t t h e b u i l d i n g had p r e v i o u s l y

b e e n condemned.

ummar

-

The f i r e o r i g i n a t e d i n t h e k i t c h e n a t t h e e a s t s i d e of

4.

S h

9:

t e d w e l l i n g ( F i g s . 33 and

34)

and had s p r e a d i n t o t h e l i v i n g room ( F i g .

3 7 )

b e f o r e b e i n g d i s c o v e r e d by t h e mother, who was s l e e p i n g i n t h e ground f l o o r bedroom ( F i g . 38). C o n s i d e r a b l e c o n f u s i o n on d i s c o v e r y of t h e f i r e was e v i d e n t . The mother and t h r e e c h i l d r e n were found on t h e f i r s t f l o o r a s p h y x i a t e d ( ~ i

.

3 9 ) . The t w i n s s l e e p i n g i n t h e ground f l o o r bedroom ( F i g .

3

) were r e s c u e d by a f i r e m a n , b u t d i e d l a t e r i n h o s p i t a l ,

8

5.

Comments

-

It was assumed t h a t t h e mother had used t h e e l e c t r i c a l a p p l i a n c e s e a r l i e r i n t h e morning and r e t u r n e d t o t h e wound f l o o r bedroom, The l a c k of d o o r s on k i t c h e n and hallway e n t r a n c e s

p e r m i t t e d smoke and g a s e s t o r i s e up t h e open s t a i r c a s e t o t h e f i r s t f l o o r u n d e t e c t e d ( F i g ,

361,

The e l e c t r i c a l c i r c u i t s i n many of t h e o l d e r homes t o d a y a r e u n a b l e t o p r o v i d e a s u f f i c i e n t number of w a t t s f o r t h e m u l t i p l i c i t y o f e l e c t r i c a l d e v i c e s and

equipment owned and used by t h e a v e r a g e f a m i l y . T h i s c o n d i t i o n has been found r e s p o n s i b l e f o r c r e a t i n g many f i r e h a z a r d s ,

FIRE FATALITY STUDY NO, 9/55

Location: Ottawa, C a r l e t o n County Occupancy: Apartments and

o f f i c e s

Date of f i r e : 23 December,

1955

-

Dead: 1 f e m a l e , a e e

36

y e a r s ; 1 male, age

48

y e a r s . Time of f i r e :

11.18

a.m.

Members of t h e F i r e Research S e c t i o n v i s i t e d t h e s c e n e of t h e f i r e on 23 December,

1955

S t r u c t u r e

-

The masonry b u i l d i n g was 5 0 f e e t long, 30 f e e t wide and t h r e e s t o r e y s high. The f l a t roof was covered w i t h t a r and g r a v e l . An e x t e r i o r f i r e e s c a p e was a t t a c h e d t o t h e n o r t h w a l l

( F i g , 4 1 ) . S t e e l v e r a n d a s w i t h l a d d e r s e x t e n d i n g t o n e a r ground l e v e l were a t t a c h e d t o t h e e a s t and west w a l l s ( F i g , 4.0)- The i n t e r i o r f i n i s h on t h e walls, c e i l i n g s and p a r t i t i o n s was wood, l a t h and p l a s t e r , w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n of t h e ground f l o o r e n t r a n c e lobby and o f f i c e s which were f i n i s h e d w i t h c o m b u s t i b l e m a t e r i a l s ,

2. Occu anc

-

The b u i l d i n g accommodated e i g h t a p a r t m e n t s , w i t h

'

- q u a r t e r s i n t h e basement; d o c t o r s ' o f f i c e s and r e c e p -

t i o n room occupied t h e s o u t h s e c t i o n of t h e ground f l o o r .

3.

H e a t i n g

-

The b u i l d i n g was h e a t e d w i t h a hot-water s y s t e m u s i n g a c o a l s t o k e r .

4*

F=

o c l e a n t h e o f f i c e s e a c h morning and l o c k t h e d o o r s .

-

It was customary f o r t h e j a n i t o r , who was a heavy smoker, The f i r e o r i g i n a t e d i n t h e r e c e p t i o n room and s p r e a d i n t h e room and

e n t r a n c e l o b b y b e f o r e b e i n g d e t e c t e d ( F i g s . 42 and

43).

The open s t a i r c a s e p e r m i t t e d t h e smoke and g a s e s t o r i s e t o t h e upper

f l o o r s ( F i g .

4.4).

The f i r e was d i s c o v e r e d by a p a s s e r - b y when t h e f r o n t window g l a s s broke. The f i r e s p r e a d r a p i d l y between w a l l p a r t i t i o n s t o t h e r o o f , c a u s i n g c o n s i d e r a b l e damage t o t h e

i n t e r i o r of t h e b u i l d i n g . Two were a s p h y x i a t e d i n a t h i r d - f l o o r bedroom ( F i g ,

45).

5 .

Comments

-

The d e l a y e d d e t e c t i o n of t h i s f i r e i l l u s t r a t e s t h e

importance of p r o v i d i n g a n a l a r m s y s t e m i n t h i s c l a s s of r e s i d e n c e , The l o c a t i o n of t h e f i r e on t h e ground f l o o r c u t o f f e s c a p e by way of t h e s t a i r c a s e , r e q u i r i n g t h e o c c u p a n t s t o l e a v e t h e b u i l d i n g by e x t e r i o r f i r e e s c a p e s o r windows, A d e f i n i t e c a u s e f o r t h i s f i r e was n o t determined, b u t c a r e l e s s smoking by t h e j a n i t o r c o u l d have c a u s e d t h i s f i r e .

Appendix A

Fire

Fatality Report

P T a t i o n a ~ l ;:f-senrcll 7oouncil D i v i s i o n of B u i l d i n g R e s e a r c h

F i r e f3csenrch S e c t i o n

Name Addre s s

(owner o r t e n a n t ) (number, s t r e e t , c i t y , e t c . )

Date of f i r e

-

Time of f i r e a.m. p.m.

( d a y , month, y e a r ) Xa j o r occupancy ( c l o t h i n g f a c t o r y , h o t e l , d w e l l i n g , e t c , ) O r i g i n of f i r e Cause ( p a i n t room, k i t c h e n , bedroorn, e t c . ) F i r e c o n f i n o ~ ? ~ t o : Room of o r i g i n F l o o r of o r i g i n B u i l d i n g of o r i g i n ? i r e extended t o : . m n i n g b u i l d i n g s , e t c . ) L < x t e r i o r f i n i s h T r i c k veneer, wood s i d i n g , e t c , ) S t r u c t u r a l f r m e (wood, s t e e l , b r i c k , e t c . )

Longth of b u i l d i n g

-

V i d t h

-

ISo. of s t o r e y s

-

Gross f l o o r a r e a

-

I n t e r i o r f i n i s h on:

-

( l a t h and p l a s t e r , wood f i b r e b o a r d , e t c . )

C e i l i n g s :

P a r t i t i ons :

Any m a t o r i a l s which c o n t r i b u t e d t o t h e r a p i d s p r e a d of f i r e o r hind-

ctrer'. (:-:scane of occupants:

Means

of e g r e s s from f i r e a r e a : (doorway, hallway, c o r r i d o r , lobby, s t a i r , r L m ? , c t c . )

110. of S i r e e x i t s from b u i l d i n g

110, of f i r e exits Pron a f f e c t e d area Locntion of f i r e c x i t s

l x n t , r e a r , s i d e of b u i l d i n g )

Class o f f i r e e x i t s

*

-

I:an_cs o r f a t a l i t i e s i n o r on:

-

Ground f l o o r _{-...-.- ---.} ..-.

-

-.--- 7 l r s t f l o o r

-

.

---

_-- r e s c u e d KO. i n j u r e d _{-, -..-} ( o t h e r Iik~1.n

? 1 b i r

S u r n e 2.

.-?re q h o t o - r a q h z tnl:en? Y e s I;y rdhom?

-

1'0

_--

T. 1.1 .p i?l~.o-Lqyr.?nhs, news?cgor cl_ip?inz;s avail.:Y.ilo, ;?lc?ase i n c l u d e w i t h

r e > & r t -.

-

.-

--

--.

-

,'

n-

l ' ~ ~ t ! z e r i n f o r x o t , i o n o r r e c omicndat i o n s

_---

'1eo:;e e n c l o s e n o r t i n o n t ske1;ches of a f f ' c c t c d crr?nr;, o r l o c a t l o n of ho(' i e s

,

--* -.-...-- R e p o r t i n ? O f f i c e r

T i ,? ' -1;'

1 , ~ 1 , 2 -4 .--.- _---..- TI n I;e o f' :;',. c c i I:..! c n t

---

( <a;.:, month., y e : ? ~ )

1 ;z l e -.- Female :%e Time o f A c c i d e n t A P'I _--.- PI:

1,

_-F:-

:I;enelqal. l o c n l e o f a c c i d e n t .' -,. -.

- - -

- - - . - -

.>.C-.

,

i n c : o o r % i o r s , f ' i ~ : o p l a c e , e t c . ) 2. A c t i v i t y P: p ~ n i t i o n

_-

_-

o f n c r s o n wken _--.I.-"-

---

-

-

_{- -}

-

_-.-

-

_{- -}

- -

_{- - - -}

c l o t h i n ; ? i r r l i t e d ( 0 . l p . s.tanc;.inr:, c o o l : i n ~ , e t c . ) ' --.--

3.

TT-ne o f c a r m e n t i g n i t e d *.?. s!-icetor, ~:obe, e t c . ) -

- -

-

_{- - a}

_{- - -}

- - -

_{- - - - .} !!-. .,t-:le of' ~ a r m e n t _{i g n i t e d - - - . - - -}

- - - -

_{- - - -}

F

i

l o o s c / c l o s e f i t t i n ? , c;lsc; o f l ~ c n l o v ~ l , o t c . 7

5'.

Nature (:r a.n:oro:c. s i z e o f i g n t t i n p s o u r c e

-

- - -

- - -

(6.

z.

,

tn!ler canclle, stovr: e l e r n c n t , c t c . )

6. :;i?ecc' 2nd mnnncr of' f l a m e zpi2ead

- - -

_{- - - -}

- - - -

(e.-;--surface f l a s h , e r r a t i c , e t c . )

7.

R e ~ c t i o n of ~ e r s o n : i h n clqt;tl=- . -.---- k n i t e d

- - -

_{- - - -}

K ~ < ' ; - Z X i . % b O n O n f r ~ ~ i

b r ~ 2 t f f T e w i t h h m d s , e t c . )

.

-

:--Lent o f b u r n s ( e . ~ . l s t , 2nd, 3 r d - - - - - - - - - - I - - -d e j ? r e e

-

on arms, c t c . ) ( b ) L o c a t i o n ( h o s p i t a l , r e s i d e n c e , s c e n e o f f i r e , - e t c . ) -

-

1-0 _* , i o Y :;a i n c l u d e : .

- - -

I n f c r m a t i o n a s t o t y p e o f f a b r i c w h i c h i y n i t o d ; : , m n l e of f a b r i c ( u n b u r n t ) f r o m 5- n i t e d , n ~ n n e n t ,

sriuaro Toot i n ~c-rea. i f ~ o s s i b l e .

( C) An.:: adtii t i o n 2 1 i n f orrns.ti on a.vail.ablf.

.

- - -

- - a _ - - -I- --- ----.---------I

"-

PI{;,

% ~ i e s i d c n c e ~ h e r e flre F l y g 2 L n t s a n e e l o b b y twkcse f i r e

eccurred: n o t e - third o c c u r r e d : Wote s e v e r e busn- f ' b s o ~ had no e x t e r i o r ing of' ~ . J O O ~ W O P ~ c n d i ~ b c r i o n a

f % s e escape, f i n : s h on wcSPs,

F L g e

3

T h i r d f ' l . 0 0 ~ e n t r a n c e : note Fire

b.

Fire l2.iese-.rch O,",'ie$al exarr-

c o a l h e a t i n g a n d p a s c o o k i n g f n f n g t h i r d f l o o r ~ o o m : n s t e

f ~ c f l f t i e s , a$ s t a i r c a s e , %he amatsur w i ~ i n g .

DRR Weport 90

PIRE

FATALITY

STUDY

No,

1/55

T::;,

5

S e c o n d f l o o r e n t ~ a n c e : nete Fifv.

6

'i'h.%rd floor rooms w h e r e t h e

S ~ V F : P ~ ~ o o d i.ii_zrnLn? . . ~ o? stair- two v f c t i ~ s weye asphyxiated:

c - ~ F ; @ , n o t e s t o v e p i p e c ~ t e r i n ~ r o o n t'ig,

7

~ n t r a n c e to 3 r d floor: n a t e t h a t emen r'cl:r ?ep- r n % t t c d h e n t ancl r a s e s t o 1.1 se, n 3

8

Yecsnd f l s o ~ a p a r t m e n t : n o t e t L ? o t c l o s e d dosk p r o v i d e d nroteetion from h a l l w a y f i r e ,

Pfg,

9

Front view sf dwelling: n o t e F i g ,

EO

G n t e ~ i s r 0% dwei%%ng shsw-

t h a t f ~ o c % window and d o o r 1n.g where g i r l age .$%so

were boasdgd PID b e f o ~ e t h e f o m d dead

i n the

b a d :

ri~f-3,

no%@ csrnbustfSEe board

$ i n % s h ,

Fig,

11 8 2 t c h e n

o r

dwelling ~ h e r a

chf.%d

$n

a c a ~ s i a g e was %68euede

Ff

g,

12

Reap v%ew of dwelling:

note $ha$ i t w a s t h e only

e n t r a n c e $0 dwelling

FIRE

FATALITY STUDY

No.

1/55

Fiz.

14

F r o n t view of dwelling.

?'f

:-.

93 Pems9bshed d : s e % l i n z : n o t e

-

on%p c n t ~ a n c e to dwell%np st r e g % , P i z ,

15

S r s u n d f l o o ~ plan. DBR R e p o s t 90 ~

-

...-7..m,.-...-...- ~ ~ ...

FIRE FATALITY STUDY

No,

4/55

;pig,

17

V i e a d shohrfnn ex%$ f r o m d w e l l i n c : note fire

x + s e a r c h v s h i c l $ in b a s k -

-rcsund.

li'ig, 99 V f s w showing locati~n of

s t o v e and wood past$t%sns,

DBR Report 3 G

FIRE FATEiLITY STUDY No.

5/55

b l a c k : n o t e \.rclesc f i r e o c c u r r e 6 on s e c o n d f l o o r .

Pis,

21 Wear v f e w 0% building:

n o t e wood b a l c o n i e s and

@xi$

s t a f r a , F i g . 22 %%vine rsorr:

In s e c o n d

f loos a p n r $ ~ e n t ; r . * k s r e fire e r i p i n a t e d : note interfor f $nf sh on w a l l s , and a d joining b e d r o s n

where victims were s l e e p -

ing,

FIRE FATALITY

STUDY No,

5/95

Entrance

h a l l t o f i r s t f lssr a p a r t m n t s : n o t e %scathsn 4f s f l s t s r q e drum. F f g , 25 Bedsocm o f f L i ~ % n g sssm whese f o u r asphyxiated: n o t e f n t e s % a r f f n i s h .

F f ? , 76

Trent.

view af d w e l l i n g , -- , L~IV:, l q 27 Enterls~ o f pro1:nd % l o o ~ : n o t e >)usned f nterior s h e a t h i n g . Pf?,

26

I i s r t h e n d sf d ~ e l l i n ~ ? : note nrna.ll e s c a p e w%n- dows x h e r e seeupants ,!umped t o s a f e t y ,

F i g , 29 Scuth en? of' dwellfng: note i n t s r 1 3 ~ construe- ti o n of' b e < d r ~ c i ? l ,

PIRE FATALITY STUDY No.

7/55

30

View c f d e m o $ i s & e d d w e l l i n g s h s w l n q a t t a c h e d s h e d . ( 7 u k s i d e k l t c h c n a t t a c h e d $ Q r ; ; ~ s s l l i n ? : n o t e car?.bi:.s- t i b P e m a t e ~ f a l on ~7341s a r ~ d ceilincs, R E A P E N T R B E D R O O M Ground % % B O P p l a n :

X

is where bsallfes were f o u n d a

F I R E F A T f i I T Y STUDY

No.

8/55

? i g .

33

F r o n t v i e w sf dwel9ing: F l g ,

34

Kitchen where f i ~ s s t a p -

noto kitchen on e a s t side t e d : note open dssrway of' dwelling, permi",$ed f8re to ante^

k l v f n g morn,

P f g .

35

1 n t e ~ I . o ~ view sS k f t e k e n : Fig,

4 6

Vfew sf o p e n s t a f r e a a e n o t e t h e w i ~ f n g , where h e a t and g a s e s

ex-

t e n d e d t o s e c o n d f l ~ o r : n o t e cksund f l o o r b e d ~ s s m

FIRE

FATALITY

STUDY

No,

8/55

V l e w sf I f v i n e room o f f

k f t c h e n : n o t e s n e n h e 1 9

s n t r s n e e at right w b l c h nernitted smoke and F e s e s

tr! ~ i s e t o . f i r s t floGr,

38

Grcunc: f%o2r k c i r o o r n where

t w f n s were f o u n d : n o t e c l o s e d d o e r t h a t p ~ s v i d e d n%ao$ect%sn f ~ o m f f r e .

PIeat an(! p e s e s cr-~Lesecl this f f r s t r l o o ~ b<-?z-cL3rn

asnhyxiatin? f o u r a 6 tie

occupants.

DRR R e p o r t 36

FIRE

FATALITY STUJY No,

9/55

FFg.

40

'Xest side of butlding: P i g ,

4%

Rear o f b u i E d i n g : n o e s

not'e

ex$$

v c r a w d a s , A- where two P f v e a l o s t ;

B-

whese two junped,

Fig,

42 F r o n t e n t ~ a n e e t o b u i l d - P i g ,

43

W a i t i n g room where f i r e

I n g : n o t e eombus$%b%e o c e w ~ e d ; Fire w a s d i s -

S o a ~ d o v e r plaster s n ~ o v e ~ e d when h e a t and

~ ~ i l l ~ a smoke b r ~ k e the f r o n t

wf

ndsw g l a s s ,

FIRE

FATALITY

STUDY go.

9/55

-7

.

r i g ,

44

S t a 5 r c a a e e n t o r l n p front Fig.

b5

T k t ~ d f l o o r bedrasm

hall: h e a t and g a s e s e x - where t w o were asphgx-

t e n d e d t o u p p e r f l o o r , f a t e d : n o t e f f r e e s -

cape at w f n d o w ,

Pig. 46 G r o u n d f l o e r h a . % l w a y lead- F%g.

47

I n t e r i o r o f an apsr$msn$