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Fire fatalities investigated by the Fire Research Section in the Province of Ontario in 1956

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DIVISION OF BUILD'ING RESEARCH

FIRE FATALITIES INVESTIGATED BY THE FIRE

RESEARCH SECTION IN THE PROVINCE OF

ONTARIO IN

1956

C.G. Burnett

ANALYZED

Report No.

127

Division of BUilding Researoh

OTTAWA

(3)
(4)

The Division has, each year since January 1954, prepared a statistical report of fire deaths in the Province of Ontario, together with a companion report covering studies made at the scenes of fires at which

fire fatalities occurred. This report presents a case

history

ot

the visits made to such fires in 1956 by

members of the Fire Research Section.

These studies, which have not yet been extended beyond the Province of Ontario, are made possible by the full co-operation of provinoia1 and municipal

officials whose assistance is now gratefully aoknowledged. The Division hopes eventually to summarize in a published document these annual reports which are in the meantime privately circulated for the information of

those ooncerned with fire prevention in Canada.

Ottawa

(5)

by C.G. Burnett

This study of fire deaths that occur in the Province of

Ontario was continued by the Fire Research Section of the Division

of BUilding ·Re se arch during the ye ar

1956.

As in previous ye ar-s ,

members of the Fire Research Section have carried out a limited number of field investigations to supplement the information

received from provincial and municipal fire officials. Since these

investigations began in

1954,

members of the Fire Research Section

have travelled approximately 10,000 miles investigating

36

fatal

fires which were responsible for the loss of 93 lives. The field

investigations carried out in

1954

and

1955

have already been

described in DBR Reports Nos. 71 and 90.

It has been possible this year, owing to the number of

fatal fires which have ッ」」セキイ・、 in the immediate vicinity of

Ottawa, to report on more fatal fires than in previous years. In

spite of this factor, only about

25

per cent of the fire deaths

have been studied by the Fire Research Section, and, as in previous years, the great bulk of the inform9tion which forms the basis of our statistical reports is secured from either provincial or municipal

fire officials. It is only fitting that once again

we

should pay

tribute to the wonderful co-operation extended to the Fire Research Section in this study by the various fire officials, not only for

supplying ゥョヲッイュ。エゥッセ upon request, but also for giving

assistance to members of the Section when they visit the scenes of

fatal fires. It is indeed evidence of the sincere desire on the

part of fire officials to assist in any way possible with any

endeavour which might have some influence on lowering this useless loss of human lives.

Commencing in

1956,

certain minor changes were made in

the information to be secured for this study, and certain modifi-cations were made in the forms used for reporting this information;

copies of the revised forms will be found in AppendiX A. As in the

past, information on the nature of the fatal injury is supplied at a later date by the Vital Statistics Section of the Ontario

Registrar-General's Office. This information is transcribed from the death

」・イエゥヲゥ」。エセN

セヲオゥャ・ these field investigations are made as a result of a fire occurring in which a fatality has resulted, they also offer an opportunity to members of the Section to meet directly with

(6)

but other fire problems encountered in their community. This personal link with the fire service is a valued one, as

evidenced by the co-operation shown by fire officials in the Province when they are requested to furnish information.

It is not intended in this report to attempt a detailed analysis of the fires investigated, but rather to present

con-cise summaries of the fires. However, when examining these

reports, two factors tend to emerge which appear to have exerted an influence on the possibility of escape of some of those who

died in the fires. One factor is the rapidity with which tho

fire spread in the interior of some of the buildings, particularly where combustible wall linings were used, which in some instances gave rise to panic on the part of those present, partioularly

adults. Unwise action taken by those under the stress of panio

has probably often increased the speed of fire spread; for example, occupants emerging from a building in which there is a fire might leave the doors open and this draught increases the speed and

spread of the fire. Another factor is that in the more isolated

locations, it is not possible to have modern fire eqUipment with ladders on the spot quickly to assist the escape of those who

are trapped by a rapidly advancing fire. The importance of having

ladders (of adequate length) readily available at residences

which are located in isolated areas should be stressed. Although

a great deal of the fire prevention effort is devoted to rural fire protection, it might be possible to place more emphasis on the foregoing precaution whenever fire preventive measures are being direoted to rural communities.

As in previous years, a oompanion report giVing a

statistioal analysis of all fire deaths in the Province of Ontario for

1956,

will be prepared.

(7)

FIRE FATALITY STUDY No.

1/26

Location: Williams1:mrg, Dundas County

Da te of fire: Time of fire:

4

January

1956

6.00 a.m.

Occupancy: Residence

Dead: 1 male, age

8

years;

2 females, ages

47

and

11

years.

Members of the Fire Research Section visited the scene of this

fire on

4

January

1956.

Structure. - The wood frame dwelling was

45

feet in length,

30 feet in width and two storeys in height, built on a

masonry foundation, Vii th a basement (Fig. 1). The hip

roof was covered with asbestos shingles. A one-storey wood

frame building Aセo feet in length,

15

feet in width used as

a garage and storage was attached to the west side of the

building (Fig. 2). The shed roof was covered with rolled

roofing. Exterior finish of wall framing was combustible

board and wood siding. Interior finish on walls, ceiling and

partitions was combustible board, papered. A staircase to the

second floor was constructed in the centre of the dwelling. Occupancy. - Accommodation was prOVided for seven occupants

in the dwelling. At the time of the fire five were sleeping

on the second floor.

3.

Heating. - The dwelling was heated with a Quebec heater and

an

011

stove located in the liVing room on the first floor.

The stove pipes were joined together and extended through

the ceiling to a bracket chimney on the second floor. A wood

stove was located in the kitchen, with pipes leading into a

brick chimney (Fig.

3).

Summar;. - On rising in the morning, the father started a wood flre in the kitchen stove and Quebec heater and left the dwelling to do chores' on the farm, approximately one mile away. It was reported that the fire originated in the kitchen at the rear of the dwelling and spread rapidly in the interior before being discovered by the occupants who escaped.

Remarks. - Fire fighting equipment and water facilities were

lacking in this community. The combustible construction and

the materials stored in the garage added fuel to the fire,

destroying the building and its contents. A definite cause

could not be determined, but from physical examination of the of the ruins and information received, the most probable cause was an over-heated kitchen stove which ignited a pile of wood

(8)

Location: 0ttn'da, Carleton Count.y Date of fire:

Time of' fire:

11

Janu::lry

1956

Occupancy: Residence

Dead: 2 males, ages

3

years

and

6

months;

3 females,8eos 7 years

セN years and

18

months.

Members of' the Fire Research Section visited the scene of this

fire on

11

January

1956.

Structure. - The frame bu ILd Lng was Rセ feet in length,

18

f'eot in width and two storeys in height, constructed on a

masonry foundation with a basement (Fig.

h).

tィセ pitched

roof was covered with asbestos shing10s and the exterior

walls were sheathed with imitation brick siding. Interior

walls, ceilings and psptitions エィイッオセィッオエ the dwelling were

finished with 1/4-inch pressed papor board, and corrugated

cardboard. This wa s a substandard dweTlLng with living

facilities and building maintenance neglected, as the building was to be demolished.

Occupancil. - The dwelling contained living room, dining

room (Fig.

5)

and kitchen (Fig.

6)

on the first floor. The

second f'loor was essentially one large room with a partial

wood frame partition (Fig.

7).

ThA dwelling accommodated a

family of eight. At the time of the fire seven were in the

building.

4.

Heatine;. - The building was heated with a. coal burning

furnace. Cooking facilities were provided on an electric

stove in the kitchen (Fig.

6).

Summarl. - The fire originated in the kitchen nea.r the side entrance and was discovered by the mother who left the

dwelling for help, leaving the front door open. The fire

spread rapidly on the 」ッュ「オウエゥ「ャセ interior finish. Smoke

and toxic gases quickly filled the staircase and second floor# asphyxiating four of the occupants in their beds.

One child died in his car>riage (Fig.

5)

and one boy was

rescued from the hallway.

Remarks. - Crowded and unhealthy liVing conditions existed

in this substandard dwelling. Owing to the pr>oposed

demol-ition of the building, maLnbenance was neglected. Some of

the windows and doors were made : 18acessible from the exterior. This class of interior finish prv. serrt s 8 definite fire and

life hazard ,,,hj eh ha.s in many instances been responsible for

the rapid firo spread and tbe loss of life. The cause of the

(9)

Location:

FIRE FATALlY! STiJD!}To.

2/;6

Otb=t\'\I8., Garleton County

Date of fit'e:

12

January

1956

Occupnncy: Residence

Tlme of fire:

-

DeAd:

4

females, ages

39,

10,

6

and

3

years.

Members of the Fire Research Section visited the scene of this

fire on

12

January

1956.

sエイオ」エ|セイ・N - TI1e frame building was

42

feet in length,

17

feet in width, and two Ator0ys In height, with a full

hasement. The p:ttched roof was coverod with wood shingles

and the exterior walls were finished with wood siding

(Fig.

8).

The interior finish on tho walls, ceilings and

partitions was mainly of combustible board materials

(Fig.

9).

o」」オeセョ」セN - The dwelling contained three rooms on the

Qゥイウセ floor and エスセ・・ bedrooms and 「。エーセッッュ on the second

floor. The building ac c ommodabed セ family of seven. At

the tIme of the fire, six of the occupan'\;s were in residence. Heating. - The dwelling was heated with a hot-air oil burning lmi€ in the basement.

4.

Su.nnnary. - The fire originated in the living poom and spread

rapidly in the interiot' furnishings to the combustible board

walls and ceilings on Ghe first floor (Fig.

9).

The open

hall and front staircase (Fig. 10) provided easy access of

the gases to the second floor. Four of the six occupants,

asleep on the second floor, were asphyxiated. セカッ 8Rcaped

out of the bedroom door which led to the front vepandah roof

(Figs. 8 and 11) wher-e they were r-escued by neLgnbour-s ,

Remarks. - Cause of the f:tre was a ttributed to the thought-less discarding of cigarettes v...hich ienl ted the furnishings.

'I'her-e se e.ns no cur-e for thls type of fire except that which

lies within the wilT-power of the individual. Time of day

(10)

FIRE FATALITY STUD! No.

'+/2

6

Location: Mar-mor-a , County Hastings

Date of fire:

18

January

1956

Occupancx: Farm dwelling

Time of fire: 6.00 a.m.

-

Dead:

3

males, セァ・ウ 12,

9

and 8 years;

h

females ages

35,

16

2 and 1 year.

Members of the Fire Research Section visited the scene of this

fire on

18

January

1956.

4.

Structure. - The frame building was

39

feet in length,

37

ree·t in width and two storeys in height, built on a masonry

and log foundation, with a partial basement (Fig. 12). The

pitched roof was sheathed with wood and covered with asphalt

shingles. The interior finish on the walls, ceilings and

partitions was combustible board, papered.

OccuEancI. - The dwelling contained three rooms on each

rloor ana accommodated a family of eight. At the time of

the fire, all the occupants were in the dwelling, seven of

whom were asleep on the second floor. The father escaped,

severely burned, out of the rear entrance of the dwelling. Heating. - Two heating units were used on the ground floor; a wood burning stove was located in the kitchen and an oil

tmit was placed in the dining room. Smoke pipes from each

stove led to separate bracket chimneys on the second floor. Swnmarx. - The fire originated in the kitchen while the

father was attempting to light the wood stove. The fire

spread rapidly in the interior construction on the first floor and extended 'up the open staircase leading from the kitchen, to the second floor, closing escape by this route

and asphyxiating seven of the occupants. The building and

contents were destroyed (Fig.

13)

before assistance could be

secured from a nearby municipality.

Remarks. - Cause of the fire was undetermined. However,

rrom rllformation received, inflammable liquids had frequently

been used to start a fire in the stove. This common and

dangerous practice of using inflanmlable liquids to start a fire, mostly in farm dwellings, has nroved very costly in

loss of life and property. Figure

14

shows remains of kitchen

(11)

FIRE FATALITY STUDY No.

5!5f?

Location:

-

Ottawa, Carleton County

Date of fire:

25

February

1956

Occupancy: Tenement-rooming

house

Time of fire: 9.00 a.m.

-

Dead: 1 male, age

62

years;

and 1 female, age

23

years.

Members of the Fire Research Section visited the scene of this

fire on

26

February

1956.

1. Structure. - The four-door, brick frame row was

three-storeys Tn height, approximately 100 feet in length and 30 feet in width, constructed on a masonry foundation with

basements (Fig.

15).

Exterior finish on the front and side

walls was brick; the rear wall and attached wood sheds were

sheathed with wood siding. A pitohed roof extended the

length of the building and was covered with wood shingles

on the front section and rolled roofing at the rear. Dorcer

windows were built in the roof to acoommodate the third

floor rooms. No exterior fire escapes had been installed on

the building.

o」」fpAョセiN - The end dwelling in which the fire occurred contained roomers on each floor, eleven of the fifteen ocoupants were in the building at the time of the fire. Two were asphyxiated in a third floor bedroom; the others esoaped or were rescued by firemen from windows.

Heating. - The building was heated with a coal burning furnace

In the basement. Cooking on eleotric appliances in the rooms

was quite general throughout the building, and amateur wiring was evident.

sオュュ。イセN - The large room on the first floor was separated

into two rooms by a wood partition (Fig.

16).

The fire

originated in the rear section occupied by a male roomer who

had temporarily left the room. By the time of discovery, the

fire had made rapid progress in the interior of the room.

Opening of the room door into t he hall permitted heat and smoke

to extend up the open staircase (Fig.

17)

to the floors above • .

Remarks. - Crowded living conditions prevailed in this buifdlng and the number of electrical appliances used in the rooms placed an overload on the electrical circuits.

(12)

Paper oovering the wood partition in the room of origin

and the interior furnishings added to the rapid fire spread. Fire produces toxic gases, and when a fire occurs on a

lower floor and there is an open stairway (Fig.

17)

the

upper floors are soon filled with a heavy conoentration of

toxio and hot gases. It is this condition whioh stresses

the importanoe of having adequate exits, well placed and

marked. The olosed door in the room of origin on the first

floor allowed some people to leave by means of the stairway

which otherwise would have been untenable. Where

olose-fitting doors remained closed (Fig. 18), oooupants escaped from windows - a loose-fitting door on the third floor bedroom permitted toxic gases to enter the room and asphy-xiate the two occupants before resoue operations oould be carried out.

(13)

FIRE FATALITY STuvY No.

6/$6

Location: Ottawa, Carleton County

Date of fire: セセ March

1956

OccupancI: Residence

Time of f:tre: Deaq:

1

male, age

61

years; .

1 female, age

42

years.

Members of the Fire Research Section vIsited the scene of this

fire on セセ March

1956.

Structure. - The frame building was

35

feet in length, 20

feet in width and two storeys in heiGht, constructed on a

masonry foundation with no basement (Fig.

19).

The pitched

roof was covered with wood shingles and the exterior walls

were sheathed with wood stding. Interior finish of the

walls, ceilings, and partitions on the first floor was

combustible board over rough boards (Fig. 20). The second

floor rooms were mainly finished with lath and plaster, papered.

occupanc

t. -

The building contained two rooms on the first

floor wi hthree bedrooms and bathroom on the second floor.

The first floor was セウ・、 as a radio repair shop with living

accommodation in the rear (Fig.

22).

セャ・ second floor

bed-rooms were rented by four roomers, three of whom were in

their rooms when the fire was discovered. Two were

found asphyxiated while one was rescued by firemen from the second floor window (Fig. 21).

3.

',.

Heating. - The building was heated by a Quebec heater and

and 011 bur-nLng unit located in the rear section of the first floor (Fig. 22) with pipes leading to a bracket chimney.

Heat キセウ provided to the second floor by a register between

the first floor ceiling and rear bedroom floor. Electrical

appliances were used for cooking in the rooms.

Summar-v , - The fire orieinated in the rear room on- the first

rloor tFig. 20) while the occupants were absent. The fire

spread rapidly in the interior fjnish on the walls, ceilings

and hallway before being detected. The open stairway and

the hole cut; through the ceiling provided access for heat and

ga se s to penl'lLr-ate the second floor, asphyxia ting the occupants

(14)

Remar-ks , - Nearly all fh'i-)s that St8.1't ar-e small, but

when not rJetecte(1 find extinguished at once may develop

into large fires. nPcassセセy セイX」。オエUPョウ which should

be taken against the apr-ea d of fire are often neglActed

for r-ea aons of ec onomy , Lac k of knowLedge or Lnd lZイヲヲZセイ・ョ」・

due to wishful LhLnkl ng Lhat R fipe could not occur.

Car-eLe sanes s in one form or sno t.her- 1s r-espon st.bLe for

by far the majority of 0911 fJres; care and forethought

are therefore the most essontial ingredients of all fire

prevention. A definite cause for this fire was not

determined, owing to the severe burning on the first

floor. Careless smoking was the probable cause, with

t1:e inflammable Interior finish on the walls and the materials stored adding to the rapid spread of fire.

This incident emphasizes the desirability of good

(15)

FIR3 Fft.T.ALI'I'Y STUDY No.

7/56

Location: Date of fire: Time of fire:

Pembroke, Renfroew County

10

March

1956

6.00

p.m.

Occupancz: Dwelling

セZ 1 male, age

42

years

Members of the Fire Research Section visited the scent) of' this

fire on

15

March

1956.

Structure. - The frame building was 22 feet in length, 20 feet in width, and 1 1/2 storeys in height, built on a

masonry foundation (Fig.

23).

The hip roof contained two

dormer windows and was covered with asbestos shingles. Imitation brick siding was used to sheath the exterior

frame walls. Living accommodation was prov:i.ded only on

the first floor (Fig.

25)

and the interior finish of the

walls, ceilings and partitions was combustible board. The second floor of the dwelling was not finished, but a hole had been made in the floor to provide for a stairoase. ッ」」オセ。ョ」ケN - The dwelling was occupied by the owner who

live alone; he was found asphyxiated lying on a couch in

the room adjacent to the kitchen at the rear of the first floor.

Heating. - The building was heated with a coal and wood burning range located in the kitchen; cooking was done on a two-burner grill.

SU)'1J)'nar'x.. - The f'lz-e , which originated in the kitchen near

the eIectric grill, ignited the window curtains and spread rapidly on the combustible board finish on the walls,

ceilings and partitions of the first floor. The large

opening made in the ceiling of the first floor to provide for

the staLr-caS8 perrnlttedthe fire to spread to the second

floor, where it cansed considerable interior damage, and extended to the roof (Fig. Rセ⦅IN

Remarks. - The combustible materials on the ground floor and

the incOYlIplete Interior' f:ini8h of the dwelling created a

rapid fire spread. It has been found that carelessness in

one form or another is responsible for the majority of all

fires, and asphyxiation 「セイ fire gases is responsible for a

(16)

FInE fLセ tiセtLity STUDY No.

8156

Location: Haliburton, H!;111burton County

Da te of fire: Time of ftre:

OOCIJps.ncy: eエセー」。ョエゥャ・

Dead: 1 male, age

52

years

-Members of the Fire Rese ar-ch Sec tion v:l si ted the scene of thi.s fire on III March 1956.

1.

2.

セMN

Structure. - The masonry building was 50 fef'lt wide, 100 fHet lone;" and one starRy hlgh , conat.r-ucbe o on a masonr-y foundation

with basement. The front section of the building was separated

with a ma sonr-y wall (Fig. 26). A f'Lat wood jolst roof

constructed on the buildin,:; \"las supported on unprotected steel beams resting on the centre and side masonry walls (Fig. 27).

Rolled roofing, covered with tar And gravel, was オウ。セ over

rough board sheathing. Interior f'Ln Lsh on the wa Lls , ceilings

And partitions was maLn'Ly combustible board material (Fig. 28).

ッ」」オー。ョ」セN - A bank establishment occupied approximately

25

feet by 0 feet on the nopth side of the building and the

remainder of the building accommodated a retail store (Fig.

26).

h・。エゥョセN - The two sections of the building were heated

ウ・ー。イ。セ・ャケ by coal burnine furnaces located in the basements. Stmrnary. - The fire was discovered when smoke was noticed in the bank section of the building, and the volunteer' fir'e

department wer-e called to Lnves t.Lga te , While endeavouring to

extinguish the firE' in the basement with a hand extinguisher, the fire chjef was overcome by toxic gases and fa1led to escape. The fire spr-e a d rapidly in the bank sec tion of t he roof,

destroying the buildine and contents.

Remarks. - 4 definite cause for the fire could not be

determined. However, reports received indicate that an

overheated furnace, or hot ashes placed against the wood

partition in the basement, was responsible. WIndowless

foundation (Fig.

26)

restricted. ventilat:lon and the escape

(17)

FIRE FA.TALITY STUDY No.

9/56

Location:

Date or fi'pe: Time of fire:

Clayton, Lanark County

27 Mar'ch

1956

5.00 a.m.

Occupancy: Log cabin

セZ 1 male, age

76

year:

Members of the Fire Research Section visited the scene of this

f1re on

28

March

1956.

1. Structure. - The one-room cabin built on a log foundation

was

16

feet in length, and 12 feet in width. The shed roof

was sheathed wJth I'OUeh boards covered with rolled roofing.

Asphalt brick siding was used as exterior wall finish. The

interior of the cabin was finished with combustible board. Occunanc*. - The body of the lone occupant of the cabin

was foun amongst the ruins.

Heating. - A wood burning stove located in the northwest corner of the cabin, with pipes leading through the east wall, provided the heating and cooking facilities.

Summary. - Investigation revealed that the cabin had been u.noccupied all day and the victim had returned in the late

evening. Oil lamps ppovided light and a number of empty

containers indicating the use and storage of ini'lammable

liquids were amongst the debris. It was reported that it

was customary I'or- the occupant to use inflammable liquids

to start a fire in the stove, and this action was probably responsible for an explosion and fire which destroyed the

building and contents. Due to the isolated location of the

cabin the fire was not discovered until the following

morning. (Figures 29 and 30 show the remains of the cabin'.)

Rernar-ks , - 'I'he use of' volatile liquids in the a cce Ler-at Lon

or wood fires has proved a very dangerous and costly

practice responsible for the loss of life and property.

Volatility is inCl'e8Sed wIth heat Rnd a small spark will

igni te a proper> mixture of VApour and air causing an explosion.

(18)

FIRE FATALITY STtl:Y No .. 10 セV Location: Ca s se Lman , Russell counby Dete

or

fil'Eo):

Time of fire:

28

Mar'ch

1956

Oc:;ups nc¥: :fa r-m dwe

11

ing

Dead:

3

malas, BeGS

4,

2 year and s:tx montils;

2 f'ema Le a , ages

6

yearf: and sIX" monbhs ,

Members of l:;h8 Fire Research Sectlonvisited the scene of this

fire on

29

March

1956.

セエNイGuc bur-e , - The fra.nle building wa s 30 feet in length, 2'5

rear

in width, Rnd two storeys in height, constructed on a

log foundation (Fig.

31).

The pltched roof was sheathed

with rough boal"ds and coyored with sheet metal roofing ..

Bricks wer-e pLa ce d bebween the exter ior wa11 studs whl ch

wer-e ahea bhe d with r-ough Lumbe r , Thi3 exterior finish wa s "orick sic11ng; interior V:f8lIs and cei1ings wer-e coinbusl:;ible

board.

ッ」」オBo。セョーZN - The dwell fne wes normally occupied by a family

of ・イセョG[ at tbe time of the fire five of the children were

sleepine on thfl second floor, the mother and one son were in

t.he barn at th.e rear, and the f'aLher- was absent. The dwelling o on ca Lne d t.hr-e e rooms on each floor.

LセN

h・セエゥIQャャN - A 1ar88 co aL:and wood burning stove located

on

€hJ

first I'Loo r provided the heR. t and c ookLng facilities

(Fig.

32).

The smoke plpes extended through the ceiling to

Lセ bracket chLmney on the second I'Loor-,

Stunmar • - It was r-epor te d that the fire had LnvoLve d the

. 1001' of the 、セセャャゥョ・ before being discovered by the

FlO"therI who attemp{j.;;cl r-escu« oper-at I ons , The isolated

IOCRtion and the Lac k of fire fighting facl1i ties in the

area delayed fire and rescue ope r abLons , Cause of the fire could not be do be r-nrl.ned owing to complete destruction of the

buildlng, but reports received indicate that the probable cause VVHS ove r-hea te d stove pipes igni tine; th0 combustible

finish on the room ce I'l Lng , The open st.sLr-ca se in the r-oom of origin permitted the rapid rise of toxic gases to the

second floor.

Remar-ks , - Repeated eX:Jmp18S occurring in 811 com-nunl ties

emphas fze GIla tunattendecl :rOWlg ch Ll.dr-e n and tho rJelay in

eli8COV61'>Y of t.he fire combine to make one of エィヲセ oirbsャセBhQ、ゥョァ

(19)

FIRE fatTセity stセセy No.

11/$6

Location:

----

Ar-npr-Lor , Carle ton Cotmty

Date of fire: Time of fire:

1 April

1956

12 NLセNo a sm ,

Occupsncl,: Conver-bed dwelling

Dead: 2 females, ages

18

years

and

6

months.

Members of the Fire Research Section visited the scene of this

fire on

3

April

1956.

1. Structure. - The frame beriernont building Vias

75

feet in

length,

50

feet in width, and two storeys in hel ghb ,

constructed on a masonry and wood plank foundation with

g parbLa L basement under the front sect Lon (Fig.

33).

.

The pitched roof was covered with asphalt shingles. Brick

siding over rough boards was used as exterior wall finish.

The interior finish on the wa11.'3, cel1ings and partitions

was a mixture of combustible materials. The building

contained five apartments with an attached frame shed at

the rear approximately 12 x 12 feet, converted into a

one-room apartment. The fire occurred {Fig.

34)

in the rear

apartment which was wired for electricity but did not have

water facilities.

2. Occupan£l.. - The apartment where the fire occurred

accommoaa ted a fmnily of three; a t the time of the fire

the mother and child were sleeping, and the father was absent.

Heating. - All apartments in the building contained

indiv-idual wood or oil burning オョゥエウセ Electrical appliances

were used for cooking and amateur wiring was quite evident

(Fig.

35).

'+ .

Summary. - The fire \'/8.3 attributed to ignition of

over-flowing grease boiling on the electric stove. The fire

spread rapidly on the Lnt er-Lor- combu.stible wall finish

and aroused the mother who escaped out of the window

after receiving severe burns that later caused her death. The fire spread in the wood construction causing

consider-able damage to builning and contents (Fig.

36).

Remarks. - Many of th088 older buildings are beins put

to a use for which they were not designed. This substandard

dwelling was not suited to occupancy, and D'}!Yt81'OUS safety

r-equfr-omont.s were violat'3d. ThlS occur-r-ence i llus tra tes

the need for p:...operly onf'or-ce d fir-e prevention and building

(20)

FInR ?ATAT,TTY STUDY No.

12/;;6

Location: st. Ae;Hthe, Waterloo County

Occupaney: F8rm cwelling

Date of fire: Timt) of fire:

.-8

AGLiAQセt

1956

8.00 p.m.

-

Doad: 2 nviLo s , Ages;) And

2 years;

2 ヲ・ュセャaウL ages 23 and Qセ year s ,

Members of the Fire Re soar-ch SectIon vis! ted the scene of this

fire on

9

May

1956.

Structure. - The frame buL'l.dlng wa s 22 feet in length, 32

l'eeE in width, and two st or-eys in he I ght , constructed on

a wood plank foundation wj thout a basement (Fig. 37).

The pitched roof was sheathed with rough boards covered with '1000 shinglfls. Exterior walls were sheathed with

wood and brick siding. InteY'ior finish on the first floor

was mainly V-joint Bnd plaster board painted (Fig.

38).

The second floor walls, ceilines and partitions were

combustible board (Fig.

39).

TIw building contained three

rooms on the first floor and two on the second. It was

wjred for electricity, but did not have water facilities. Occuuanc • - The dwelling nOl'mally accor.unodated two

。ュセ セ・ウL a total of eleh\:; persons. At the time of the

fire, foul' of a family of five th9.t occupied the second

floor were in the ir beds (Fig. セNoIL and the remaining

occupants of the dwelling were absent.

Heatin&. - Heating and cooking facilities in the building were prOVided by a lArge wood burning range located in

the kitchen (Fig.

38).

4.

SUl11Y:1ar • - The fire had made some progress on エィセ second

.001' of the dwelling bef'or-e being dtsc ove r-ed by a member

of the family wor-kIng in the field. Entrance wa s made on

the fh'st floor, but r-escue operations on the second floor

wer-e difficult duo to ao cumu'Lat Lon of smoke. The isolated

location of the dwelling and the lack of fire fighting

fncilities in the area caused a delay in rescue operations.

Four of the five ocCUpAnts wepa asphyxiated. The fire

wa s confined to thA se oond floor an d roof. ーセ definit.e cause

could not b8 determined, aLuhough ama be ur- wirine was quite

evident in the dwelling.

Remarks. - Overcrowded condition: existed in this dwelling.

I'Ires of this nat ur-e wher-o loss of li.rEl is involved are far

too frequont in r-ur-a'l ar-e a s whel'O bulLdl.ng r-e st.r-Lc t.Lons and fire ppovention イ・アャャZゥセイ・}[|[Iョエウ a1''3 not cnf'or-ce d ,

(21)

Location:

FIRE FATALITY STUF( no.

13/56

BowmanvI'Ll.e , Dur-ham county

Dete of fire: Time of fire:

24 June 1956

5

NjセMU a .rn.

Occupancy: D-we11 ing

Dead: 1 male, age

35

years;

1 femaLe , age 29

years.

Members of the Fire Research SectIon vlsited the scene of this

fire on

26

June

1956.

Structure. - The one-storey frame bunealow was

22

feet in

length,

22

feet in width, constructed on cedar and cement

posts with no basement (Fig. lセャIN The pitched roof was

sheathed with rough boards covered with asphalt shingles.

A frame unfinished addition

13

feet in length and 22 feet

in width was attached to the Vlest side of the dwelling

(Fig. lセャIN The exterior walls were sheathed with

com-bustible board, the floor was V-joint. The dwelling

conte ined three rooms (Fig. lセSI and wes wired for

electricity but did not have running water.

Occupancy. - The dwelling normally accommodated a family of four; at the tlme of the fire only the parents were in the dwelling, the children having been placed in the care of neighbolws for the evening.

4.

Heating - A Quebec heater and a wood stove located in the

iiving room provided for the heating end cooking arrangements

in the dwelllng. It was reported that both fires were out

during the evening.

Summary. - Due to the late hour" of the par-errbs! return

they decided not to disturb the children. By the time

the fire was discovered by the neiVJbours, the dwelling was

completely LnvoLve d in f'Lr-e , and .it was reported that rescue

was futile. Cause of the flre cou'ld not be determined due

to complete desbr-uct Lon of the dweTlLng nnd contents (Figs.

スセャ and GKセIN A careless aet on the part of the parents in

the handling of cigarettes was most probably the cause, as

both of the vlctLms 'here smokers. TheIr bodies wer-e found

near the onJy entrarco to the buiJding.

Remarks. - There is no organized fir-e department in this

」ッイイセャオョゥエケL and assistance was requested and received from

an adjacent municipality. Due to lack of building and fire

prevention ordinances the construction of this slilistandard

(22)

Location:

?IR1-{; FATI1LITY STUDY No. QQAOセセ

R.R. No.

5

;Pooc1stock, Oxford county

Date of fire:

ll·

July

1956

Occupancy,: Apartment

Tlme of fire:

-

Dead: I male, age I year;

I female, age 2 years lv.embers of the Fire RORearch Section visiteo the .scene of this

flre on

5

July

1956.

1.

..

StructuY'e. - Thd 'brick bu l Ld l ng forrnerly occupied as a

fal'm r-esldence, had been converted into apartments. It

wa s approxlmately

75

feet in lonpth,

50

ヲHセ・エ in width, and two storeys in height (FIg. Ill!), constructed on a masonry foundation with a basement. The hip roof was

covered wl tih wood shingles. Tnt.er-Lor- f Lnl ah on the walls, ce l l.Lng s and par-t.Lttons in tho front; sect l on of the

building was lath a nd p'l.a st.e r- i}8p8recl. The interior finish of the walls, cellines and partitions in the rear a par-Lrnenb , where the fire occurred, was mainly of

combus trl.b l e materials (Fit;.

1,5).

Amatiaur- wiring was evident in all the· rooms tFig.

'-,6).

OccupancJ. - The bul Ld.l.ng contained six apar-bmerrt s , The rear apal>tment on the second floor, where the fire star-be d , containAd three rooms and a bathroom. This apartment was occupied by a family of four. At the t Jme of the flre the two children were in tl1t'dr b8(18 (Fig.

1

1

.5)

and. the mother

was visiting a no Lghbour- in the front apartment.

h・。エゥョセN - Each apartment jn the building contained individual heating units. Cooking was provided by electrical appliances.

SlJJlillJAry. - The fire wa s 0.1 scovet-ed when an occupant on the first floor swelt amo ke and g8ve the alarm. An

attempt was made to enter the burning apartment without success until the ar-rJ.va I of the fire department.

Investl"stion showed that the nrohable cause of the firev · · - .£."

wa s from a deI'o c tiv e wa1] Boeket OV'.H,' th3 cr Lb of the

two-year old child (Fig.

h5).

(The SOCk'3t had been used to

hang clothes on as shown in Fie. JI.7). It was as sume d that

the chilct pulled on the C]oth88 causing an olectric spark which ign:ltf)d tho bod c Lot.h l.ng , 3110 I.hon moved toL}18 large bed where .she was f'ound , TIll" oY:to-yeBr o Ld ob LLd d Le d in his cr-Lb , Th8 mother> ャGMZセpoャGエZヲI、 t'hrJ'l.:; hAl" abs e nce from t.he apar-bmorrt VA S of' r'.hort (JU1'f)t.Lon ,

(23)

Rernar-lcs , - セャ・・ーゥョァ ac cor.modation was provided for the

four occupants in this small bedr-oorn where a number of

combustible ar-t LcLe s v.rereslso stored that added fuel

to the fire. The pr-aotlce of using e Lectr-LcaI fixtu.res

to hang clothes can create a definite fire hazard. The

delayed detection of this fire during the short absence of the mother illustrates the speed at which a fire can endanger life and property.

(24)

Location:

FIRE FATALITY STUDY No.

15'/$6

Goderich, Htwon County Date of fire:

-

lセN December

1956

Occupanoy: Hotel

Time of fire: Dead:

-

3

males, ages

36, 3

and

29.

Members of the Fjre Research Section visited the scene of this

fire on

5

December

1956.

1.

"'I

;;,.

1.1.•

Strur;ture. - The brick and 8tone masonry building was 100

feet in length" 110 font in width" constructed on a masonry

foundation with a basement. The buILd Lng was divided into

two sections separ-ate d by a masonr-y wall (Fig. QセXIN The

only communl cet Lng door-way led from the second floor

hall-way. The main hotel scction was three storeys in height.

The first floor conta ined the lobby, offico and. snack

bar-(Flg.

'-1-9).

Guest rooms were on the second and thi.rd f'Loor-s ,

An open staircR80 vms located in the centre of the building.

Interior finish was wood lath and plaster on brick supporting

walls.

A

fire escape was installed on the south wall. セャ・

reap soction of the buildin::; was two storeys in height (Fig.

50).

The first floor of the rear section operated 8S a club.

The second floor contained twelve small rooms used as sleeping

quarters (Fig.

51).

Intel'ior fin:i.sh of the walls, ceilings

and part Lt Lons in the r-ear- section was combust fb l.e board and

paper.

Occupancy. - The main bul Ld Lng waS oper-a t.e d as a hotel and

accolr..rnodated appr-oxlma tel.y forty guests. No account of the

number regi8te:r'ed on t.he night of the fire could be secur-ed

owing to the r-ec or-ds bel ng lost in t he fire. The three

victIms were found on the second floor in the rear section

of the buildine (Fig.

51).

h・aエゥョセN - A coal bur-nl ng ste am boiler located in the base-ment 0 the ms Ln S0CtI on provided hea t for thA building.

SUl1lI11arv. - 'Pl"Jre wer-e no f'i',·o lie bect.Lori \)P a l.ar-m systems in

the "i.mIldine 8n(1 811 thA occupants were aeLeep , The fire

was discovered when .q ァwGャセゥエ on the second floor awoke to

find smoke in his room. Tl-v,') f:ire evident]y had been bur-nIng

undebe o bed in tho basement fo.t' 9,)j1i8 oonsLder-abLo tIn:e,

causLng an a cc umu'La tlc,n of' unburned gases w!lich soon vented

into tIl6 SI;.'3i',"08.';'0 'Hid ll.npr-otucLEl\:l PャIセョゥョ・ウ on all rLoor-s ,

The c au se of the ('ire c oul.d no t; be determined" owl ng to

de Layed ..Uscovel'y and bho compLe he rJe:3b'ucti on of the bulLd Lng

(25)

5.

Remarks. - The vertical travel of fire is probably the greatest factor in connection with safety to life and

property in masI; of the existing buildings of two or

more s tor-eys , This occurrence illustra te s the need of

properly enforced fire prevention and building code

regulatIons, particularly in buildings containing sleeping quarters.

(26)

Fire Fatality Investigation Forms:

I. Report on Fatal Fire

(27)

Fire Fatality Investigation Form (I) REPORT ON FATAL FIRE

Full address of fire Hョエセ「・イL street,

municIpalIty.. and county or distriot) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Date of fire

- - - -A-M-..}- - -

-A:M:/P.r8.-*-Time of outbreak セNNP.M. Time a arm rece vel i d __ - __ - - - _ EST'/EDST

*

Occupancy (e.g. hotel, clothing factory, etc.) If dwelling, state whether for one

family or more, and whether apartment, double, duplex, separate house, etc. If "mixed occupancy", e.g. part dwelling, part stores, state occupancy for each storey.

Area On a separate sheet, please give,

セッオ can, an outline sketch plan of each storey of the building, with approximate measurements. Show point where fire started and where bodies were found.

Width (Basement/cellar-:---- ft. (Ground floor: ---(Higher storeys: :::::

_______.ft.

How man! storeys? How many peo*le normally

(exclud ng basement) resIded in t e building? _ Was basement used as living quarters? Yes/No/No basement existed/Donlt know

*

Construction of exterior キ。ャセ

(clapboard, bricK veneer, solid-briCk; etC.i - - -

--Interior finish of room where fire started _

(wallpapered lath and plaster; painted gypsum wallboard, ebc , )

(i) Walls (ii) Ceiling _

セ「・イ・ did fire start, and on which storey? How did the fire start?

tal Source of ignition (lamp, range, e tc , ) _ (b) Vfuat fuel (if any) did it use? (oil, eas, elec.) _ (c) セセ。エ first ignited? (cuptains, hedding, etc.) __

(d) 。セョ why? (lamp knocked over, playing with matches, etc.) _

セn。ウ the fir'e conf1""d to: Room of orlein/Storey of origin/Bull,Hng of origin/* or did it ext,,"n to other building(s)?

an fire nen.art"l"nt attend this fire? _

y8 S, s't<1t e キャA⦅MセN」ィ f'1.:.'"'13 depsY'"trnAnt.

How many イQ・。エィセ from this f'ire? _ Wa s theretbere be, onr or w:ll1.jnouto st'1 Ye- siNo

Any further イ・セ。イォウ (Reverse side or separate sheet may be used also) Please send any available photographs, and state what payment is required. They will be returned if not needed.

PLEASE ALSO COMPLETE BLUE FORMi ONE COpy FOR EACH FATALITY .:, - Cross out whir:hever does not apply

2,igna ture

セMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Rank or tlosition Department

(28)

Fire Fatality Inve$tigation Form (II) REPORT ON FIRE VICTIM

(PIAase complete one form for eaoh fAtality)

Name of viotim Age Sex _

1. セuilョイng FIRE

セセLNイ[[セセセfセセZ⦅Z][イ]ZN][N[N[ッ[イNNNN[[[、NZZゥNZZ、セエィ[L[N・[[LMNカ[N[ゥ[[N[」[N[エ[[NZゥZ[Z[ュ[NNNN[[ッ[N[[「[N[Zエ[N[[[。NZZZゥNZZョGMィ]ゥ[[Lウ⦅ゥNョ ...ur;;;;;,,;i;;.;e-.II? ... ....

Why was the viotim trApped or otherwise unable to esoape? ... _

2. CLOTHING FIRE If the fatality was due to the Viotlnl1S olothing becoming

ignited:-How did this happen? ... _ ... ... ... _

セセ。エ did the victim and

others present do about it? ... _

What w.ql" thA tyne of fiarmAnt flrst ignited? (shirt, skirt, etc.) _ Fabrio: state ll'ain constituent (cotton

t

キッoャセ etc.)

!f !lvellable, please send an unburnt p eoe 0 the 19Iift'edgarment,

-if possible 8 square foot or more.

3. セ If the viotim was a ohild セ than seven yeal's old:-onsible for the ohild?

How old was

this person? _ Was the イ・ウセッョウゥ「ャ・ ーセイウッョ with the ohild: in the aame room? _

same storey? same building ; i f not, how

far away was he/she?

If the responsihle person was not in the same building as the child at

the time of the fire, how long}iiid he/she been away? _ MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMセMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMIf the responsible person セ there, why WAS he/she unable to safeguard

the infant?

4.

If the questions above do not fit the oircumstanoes, please give your own ·aocount on セョッエィ・イ Bheet, or on the baok of this one.

plfLaセe ALSO COMPLETE FORM (I) REFffiT ON FATAL FIRE Sisnatu:re

2.!!! . _

Rank or position _ Department

(29)

Fig. 1. View looking towards the rear of the

residenoe showing oomplete destruotion.

Fig. 2. Fire burned out

garage and storage

ウセ、N

Fig.

3.

View showing ohtmney

serving kitohen stove.

(30)

Fig.

4.

Side and front'view of residence.

Fig.

6.

View of kitchen showing

electric stove.

Fig.

5.

View showing living

room in baokground with dining room in foreground. I

I

_ l....:..

,

セ セ

j---"

r: , .

i セ

.. .

セゥャ N ャ

I

セ ョ セ

..

セセN

-4llIIt

-

.

• .

81', 4S4-4- ,

Fig.

7.

Sleeping quarters on

second floor, showing partition.

(31)

Fig.

8.

Front view

ot

Residence. Fig.

9.

first floor rooms.Interior view of

Fig. 10. Front hall and stairway

leading to second floor. Fig. 11. View showing dooropening on to verandah root from seoond floor front bedroom.

(32)

Fig. 12. View of foundation walls and partial basement.

Fig. 13. View showing the

oompletely destroyed building.

Fig.

14.

Remains of kitohen

stove following the fire.

(33)

Fig.

15.

Front view

ot

building. Fig.

16.

View showing woodenpartition dividing

front roam on first floor.

Fig. 17. Open stairway leading

to upper floors. Fig.

18.

was kept closed durinView of a door which fire. thereby delayir. entry of tire and エッセ

gases into the room ana permitting occupants to escape •

(34)

Fig.

19.

Front view of building.

Fig. 21. Front bedroom on second

floor showing window where one person was rescued.

Fig. 20. Interior view on

first floor where tire started.

Fig. 22. Radio repair shop

with living quarters in background.

(35)

Fig. 23. セッョエ view of residence.

w

STAIRS TO BASEMENT....--N REAR ENTRANCE DININ(;· ROOM ( Bl BEDROOM E

Fig.

24.

View showing side

wall and kitchen window.

FRONT

セA

エZセeᄃセセ」ZZZj

entranceセ

s

Fig. 2$. Plan of first flo or:

a) where fire started;

b) where victim found on

couch.

(36)

Fig.

26.

Front view

ot

building showing dividing wall.

Fig.

27.

Interior view

ot

store

showing exposed steel beams.

Fig.

28.

Interior view of store

looking toward the

rear.

(37)

Fig.

29.

Remains of oabin.

Fig.

30.

Another view of cabin

showing stove.

(38)

Fig. 31. Remains of building following fire.

Fig. 32. Remains of ooa1 and

wood burning stove.

(39)

Fig.

33.

Front view of building.

Fig.

35.

Interior view of one

of the apartments.

Fig.

34.

One room addition at

rear of building.

Fig.

36.

View showing extent

of damage to the building.

(40)

Fig.

37.

Exterior view

ot

building.

Fig.

39-

Rear view

ot

seoond

tloor sleeping aocommodation.

Fig.

38.

Interior view showing

kitohen.

Fig.

40.

Front view

ot

the

same area.

(41)

Fig.

41.

View showing alma t complete destruction or dwelling and

addition.

Fig.

42.

Another view or the

same area. WASHINGU MACHINE BEDROOM BEDROOM r- c:::= QUEBEC"€) X 0

HEATER CHAIR CHAIRD

QELECTRIC

I

TABLE

I

x(

STOVE

-FRONT ENTRANCE

Fig.

43.

Plan of ヲゥセウエ floor:

X 1s where bodies were

found.

(42)

1

...,.

Fig.

44.

Front view

ot

building.

Fig.

46.

Example of amateur

eleotrical wiring.

Fig.

45.

View of bdroam in rear

apartment on second floor.

Fig.

47.

Clothes hanging

from lamp sooket.

(43)

Fig.

48.

Front and side vie. or hotel.

Fig.

50.

Rear section

or

building.

Fig.

49.

View showing first

floor or hotel.

Fig.

51.

View of sleeping

accommodation.

Figure

Fig. 1. View looking towards the rear of the
Fig. 4. Side and front'view of residence.
Fig. 8. Front view ot
Fig. 12. View of foundation walls and partial basement.
+7

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