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Fire fatalities in the province of Ontario investigated by the Fire Section in 1957 and 1958
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADA D I V I S I O N OF B U I L D I N G RESEARCH
FIRI3 F A T A L I T I E S I N THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO INVESTIGATED BY THE F I R E S E C T I O N I N
1957
AND1958
ANALYZED R e p o r t N o .176
D i v i s i o n o f Building Research O t t a w a May1959
F r o n t view o f a n historical residence
FIRE FATALITIES I N THE PROVINCE OF O N T A R I O INVESTIGATED BY THE FIRE SECTION
I N 1957 AND
1958
byC.0. B u r n e t t
The F i r e S e o t i o n of t h e D i v i s i o n of B u i l d i n g Researoh h a s been o o n d u c t i n g a F i r e F a t a l i t y Survey i n t h e Provinoe of O n t a r i o e a c h y e a r a i n c e
1954.
I n
o r d e r t o supplement t h e i n f o r m a t i o n r e c e i v e d on t h e N.R.C, f a t a l i t y forms which a r e forwarded e i t h e r t o t h e p r o v i n a i a l o r m u n i c i p a l f i r e o f f i c i a l s i n t h e community where t8he f a t a l l t y o c c u r r e d , a l l m l t s d number of f i e l d i n ~ e s t i g a t ~ i o n s have been c a r r i e d o u t . S i n c e t h e s t a r t of t h e F i r e F a t a l i t y Survey a p p r o x i m a t e l y 12,500 m i l e s have been t r a v e l l e d i n v a r i o u s s e c t . i o n s of O n t a r i o t o i n v e s t i45
f a t a l 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 1 2While t h e s e f i e l d i n v e s t i g a t i o n s a r e made a s a r e s u l t of a f i r e o c c u r r l . n g i n which a f a t a l i t y ha8 r e s u l t e d , t.hey have a l s o provided a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o t h e members of t h e F i r e S e o t i o n t o meet d i r e c t l y w i t h t h e members of t h e f i r e s e r v i c e and
d i s c u s s n o t o n l y t h e problems of t h e s p e c i f i c f i r e b u t c o n d i t i o n s which a r e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e r a p i d s p r e a d of f i r e i n b u i l d i n g e . T h i s p e r s o n a l l i n k h a s proven very v a l u a b l e a s evidenced by t h e c o n t i n u e d 0 0 - o p e r a t i o n extend.ed t o th.e F i r e S e c t i o n by t h e f i r e o f f i c i a l 8 i n t h e P r o v i n c e , and i t i s o n l y f i t t i n g t h a t once a g a i n w e would l i k e t o pay t r i b u t e t o t h e s e o f f i c i a l s f o r t h e a s s i s t a n c e t h e y have g i v e n i n t h i s s u r v e y , T h i s r e p o r t i s n o t i n t o n d e d a s a d e t a i l e d a n a l y s i s o f t h e f i r e s i n v e s t i g a t e d b u t r a t h e r t o p r e s e n t c o n c i s e summaries of t h e f i r e s and t h e f a c t o r s which a p p e a r t o be r e s p o n s i b l e f o r l o s s of l i f e . 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 s i n c e
1954
a r e d e s c r i b e d i n DBR R e p o r t s Nos. 71, 90 and 127, and a s i n p r e v i o u s y e a r s a companion r e p o r t g i v i n g a s t a t i s t i o a l a n a l y s i s of a l l f i r e d e a t h s i n t h e Provinoe of O n t a r i o w i l l be prepared.FIRE FATALITY- STUDY NO. 1/2 Locat ion: Ottawa, C a r l e t o n County
Date of f i r e : 1 0 A p r i l
1957
Occupancy: T r a i l e rTime of f i r e :
4.15
a.m.-
Dead: 1 male, age46
y e a r s . Members of t h e F i r e 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 eon 10 A p r i l
1957.
1. S t r u c t u r e .
-
T h i s f a t a l i t y o c c u r r e d i n an unocoupied one- room s t a t i o n a r y house t r a i l e r , a p p r o x i m a t e l y 20 f t I n l e n g t h and8
f t I n w i d t h , l o c a t e d on t h e p r o p e r t y of t h e v i c t i m a d j a c e n t t o h i s d w e l l i n g (Fig. 1). The t r a i l e r was con-s t r u c t e d of aluminum w i t h plywood i n t e r i o r f i n i s h t h a t had r e c e n t l y been p a i n t e d and v a r n i s h e d i n p r e p a r a t i o n f o r new occupants. The v i c t i m e n t e r e d the t r a i l e r t o examine t h e o i l h e a t i n g u n i t t h a t had been l e f t b u r n i n g when a n e x p l o s i o n o c c u r r e d blowing o f f t h e e n t r a n c e door and i g n i t i n g t h e i n t e r i o r .
2. Occu anc
.
-
The t r a i l e r had p r e v i o u s l y been occupied by t h e&
h i s wife w h i l e a w a i t i n g completion of t h e i r new dwelling.3.
Heetinq.-
The t r a i l e r c o n t a i n e d two s t o v e s , an o i l - b u r n i n g apace h e a t e r p r o v i d i n g the h e a t and a g a s propane s t o v e used f o r cooking. Both s t o v e s were l o c a t e d n e a r t h e e n t r a n c e door ( F i g . 2).Summar
.
-
The e x a c t s o u r c e of i g n i t i o n c o u l d n o t be determined4*
d
o oomplete d e s t r u c t i o n of t h e t r a i l e r by f i r e and e x p l o s i o n . However, c o n t i n u e d low o p e r a t i o n of t h e o i l b u r n e r w i t h o u tc l e a n i n g and removal of t h e carbon d e p o s i t s would i n e v i t a b l y r e s u l t i n c l o g g i n g the burnor o r i f i c e and when t h i s happens t h e flame goes o u t . The c l o s e d room of t h i s t r a i l e r could a l s o have c o n t a i n e d flammable vapours from t h e r e d e c o r a t i n g . It i s
assumed t h a t t h i s c o n d i t i o n e x i s t e d a t t h e time when t h e owner a t t e m p t e d t o r e - l i g h t the f i r e t h e r e b y c a u s i n g t h e e x p l o s i o n and g e t t i n g t r a p p e d i n t h e i n t e r i o r .
5.
Remarks.-
Crowded c o n d i t i o n s e x i s t e d i n t h i s t r a i l e r d w e l l i n gwhich had o n l y one e x i t . The most s e r i o u s a s p e o t of t h i s
s i t u a t i o n i s n o t p r o p o r t y l o s s b u t t h e l o s s of l i f e and t h e p o t e n t i a l danger of g r e a t e s t concern i n t h i s t y p e of d w e l l i n g
FIRE FATALITY STUDY NO. 2/57
Location: P o i n t e Aux Trembles, Ile-de-Montreal County, P.Q.
Date of f i r e :
14
A p r i l 1957 Occupanoy : Convale s c e n t Home Time of f i r e : 7.00 p.m.-
Dead: 17 male and femaleoocupant 8.
Members of t h e F i r e S e c t i o n v i s i t e d the scene of t h i a f i r e on
14 A p r i l 1957.
1. S t r u a t u r e .
-
The s o l i d atone b u i l d i n g , f o r m e r l y used a s a farm swelling, had been oonverted i n t o a oonvalesoent home f o r theaged
( F I ~ .
3 ) .
The b u i l d i n g was 1 1/2 stories i n h e i g h t w i t h o u t s i d e dimensions approximately65
f t by 25 f t . The wood j o i s t s s u p p o r t i n g t h e p i t c h e d roof were sheathed w i t h rough lumber and f i n i s h e d w i t h t i nsheet in^
and a s b e s t o s ahinglea. One-story wood frame a d d i t i o n s were c o n s t r u c t e d on t h e e x t e r i o r of the atone b u i l d i n g t o provide f o r k i t o h e n f a o i l i t i e s anda d d i t i o n a l a l e e p i n g accommodation (Fig.
4).
The i n t e r i o r f i n i e h of t h e 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(Fig.
5).
An open s t a i r c a s e was provided a t eaoh end of t h e b u i l d i n g t o provide e g r e s s from the second f l o o r . No e x t e r i o r 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 .2. Occu anc
.
-
Accommodation was provided f o r t h i r t y - o n e inmates *whom were bed patients. A t the time of t h e f i r s manywere watohlng TV i n the second f l o o r r e c r e a t i o n room.
3.
Heatin.
-
The b u i l d i n g was heated w i t h a number of o i l - b u r n i n g d n c e s lo c a t e d on e a c h f l o o r ( ~ i g .6 ) .
Summar
.
-
A n inmate was t h e f i r s t t o n o t i o e t h e f i r e burning e w a l l and c e i l i n g o f a room on the f i r s t f l o o r ( F i g . 7 ) .40
d
An a t t e m p t was made by s t a f f members t o e v a o u ~ t e t h e b u i l d i n g . The f i r e department, l o c a t e d one mile d i s t a n t , r e p o r t e d
r e o e i v i n g a c a l l by telephone from a r e s i d e n t i n t h e a r e a a t 7.10 p.m. but on a r r i v a l found t h e f i r s t f l o o r completely involved i n f i r e which made r e s c u e o p e r a t i o n s from the seoond a t o r y window v e r y d i f f i c u l t . The aauae of th f i r e was n o t d e f i n i t e l y determined due t o t h e e x t e n s i v e burning i n t h e i n t e r i o r of the s t o n e s e c t i o n of the b u i l d i n g ( F i g . 8). A
p o s s i b l e cause could have been a n e l e c t r i c power i n t e r r u p t i o n which would p l a c e an overload on the w i r i n g i n the b u i l d i n g and be a f a o t o r i n c r e a t l n t h e r a p i d spread of f i r e i n the w a l l s and c e i l i n g s (Fig.
9
f
.
5.
Remarks.-
Crowded l i v i n g o o n d i t i o n a and poor housekeepingaxiatsa
i n t h i s o o n v a l e s c e n t home which housed naany i n f ? i r minmatee ( F i g . 1 0 ) . Many homes s i m l l a r t o t h i s one a r e
o p e r a t e d i n b u i l d i n g s o r i g i n a l l y b u i l t a s p r i v a t e d w e l l i n g 8 and t h e o o n v e r s i o n of t h e s e o l d e r b u i l d i n g s poses many
problems w i t h r e s p e c t t o s a f e t y t o l i f e from f i r e . The uae of h i g h l y combustible i n t e r i o r w a l l and c e i l i n g f i n i s h e s , open s t a i r w a y s , inauf f l c i e n t e x i t facilities, t h e l a o k of a u t o m a t i c a l a r m systems and the s h o r t a g e of t r a i n e d and e x p e r i e n c e d s t a f f have been r e a p o n s i b l e f o r heavy l o s s of
l i f e i n t h i s c l a s s of d w e l l i n g . The a i t u a t i o n might have had a d i f f e r e n t outcome had a s p r i n k l e r system been i n s t a l l e d i n t h e b u i l d i n g .
FIRE FATALITY STUDY NO. Location: Galt, Waterloo County Date of f i r e : 22 J u l y
1957
Time of f i r e : 4.00 a.m.
Oocupanc~: Dwe 11 in g
Dead: 1 male, age
5
y e a r s ;-
1 female, age7
years.Member8 of the F i r e 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 23 J u l y
1957.
S t r u c t u r e .
-
The wood-frame d w e l l i n g i n which t h i s f i r e occurred waa approximately30
f t i n width,50
f t i n l e n g t h and two s t o r i e si n h e i g h t , w i t h a basement. The p i t c h e d r o o f was oovered w i t h wood s h i n g l e s . The e x t e r i o r w a l l a were f i n i a h e d w i t h i m i t a t i o n b r i c k s i d i n g . A one-story wood-frame b u i l d i n g was a t t a c h e d a t t h e r e a r of t h e d w e l l i n g t o provide a d d i t i o n a l l i v i n g q u a r t e r a ( F i g . 11). The i n t e r i o r w a l l s , c e i l i n g and p a r t i t i o n s , i n t h e f r o n t s e c t i o n of t h e d w e l l i n g were f i n i s h e d w i t h l a t h and p l a s t e r . The i n t e r i o r f i n i s h of t h e rooms i n the r e a r s e o t i o n , where t h e f i r e occurred, were oombustible board and p r e s s e d paper (Fig. 1 2 ) .
2. Occu anc
.
-
The d w e l l i n g accommodated two f a m i l i e s , and a t &of t h e f i r e e l e v e n oocupants were a s l e e p i n t h e i r bedson t h e aeoond f l o o r .
3.
Heatin.
-
A ooal-burning h o t - a i r f u r n a c e l o c a t e d i n t h e base- EZi&ovided h e a t f o r the dwelling.Summar
.
-
The f i r e o r i g i n a t e d i n the l i v i n g q u a r t e r s on t h e40
d
l o o r i n t h e r e a r a e o t i o n of t h e dwelling and apread r a p i d l y over t h e combustible i n t e r i o r f i n i s h on the w a l l s and c e i l i n g . Laok of f i r e a t o p s i n t h e 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 advance t o t h e second f l o o r b e f o r e being d e t e c t e d(Fig.
13).
Many of t h e occupants were resoued from second s t o r y windows a s smoke and h o t gases extended up the open s t a i r c a s e (Fig.4)
and a s p h y x i a t e d the two v i c t i m s who were s l e e p i n g i n a f r o n t bedroom on t h e seoond f l o o r .5.
Remarks,-
One-family r e s i d e n c e s converted t o a c c o m o d a t e 'increased occupancy c r e a t e a d d i t i o n a l f i r e h a z a r d s and many f i r e s occur where oheap c o n s t r u c t i o n has been used, F i r e e x p e r i e n c e h a s c l e a r l y i n d i c a t e d that a l a r g e percentage ofl o a s of l i f e and p r o p e r t y occurs i n b u i l d i n g s which a r e b a d l y c o n s t r u c t e d and e v e r y m u n i c i p a l i t y should p r e p a r e f o r f u t u r e b u i l d i n g programs by a d o p t i n g a modern b u i l d i n g code. A
f i r e occurred r e o e n t l y i n t h e same a r e a i n a s i m i l a r type of converted r e s i d e n c e and f o u r young c h i l d r e n l o s t t h e i r liveam
FIRE FATALITIES I N I=
FIRE FATALITY STUDY NO.
4/58
Location: Date of f i r e :
Kingston, Frontenac County 30 March
1958
Time of f i r e : 2.30 a.m.
Ocoupanoy : Residence Dead: 2 males, ages 27
-
y e a r s and18
months.Members of the F i r e S e o t i o n v i a i t e d the scene of t h i s f i r e on 1 A p r i l
1958.
S t r u o t u r e .
-
The s o l i d masonry b u i l d i n g was approximately 110ft i n l e n g t h , 40 f t i n w i d t h and two stories i n h e i g h t , w i t h a basement ( ~ r o n t i s p i e o e )
.
The d w e l l i n g a o n t a i n e d t h r e es e o t i o n s s e p a r a t e d by two-foot masonry w a l l s p i e r c e d only by doorway openings l e a d i n g t o the e a s t and west wings. The f i r e was l a r g e l y oonfined t o the o e n t r e s e c t i o n (Fig.
15).
The p i t c h e d roof was c o n s t r u c t e d of wood j o i s t sheathed w i t h rough lumber and oovered n i t h wood shingles. The i n t e r i o r f i n i s h o f t h e masonry w a l l s w a s l a t h and p l a s t e r over wood f u r r i n g . Room c e i l i n g s and p a r t i t i o n s were wood j o i s t sheathed w i t h oornbustible board. The f l o o r s were hardwood on woo$, j o i s t s . 2. Occu anc.
-
The c e n t r e s e c t i o n of the d w e l l i n g contained a&ing room on t h e f i r s t f l o o r n i t h an open s t a i r o a s e a t the r e a r l e a d i n g t o the second f l o o r bedroom ( F i g .
16).
The e a s t and west wings of the d w e l l i n g contained bedrooms, k i t c h e n , and d i n i n g room. A t t h e time of the f i r e f o u r people were a s l e e p i n t h e o e n t r e s e c t i o n and two i n t h e west wing.3.
Heatin.
-
A n o i l - h e a t i n g hot-water u n i t , l o c a t e d i n the base-d
the c e n t r e s e c t i o n , s u p p l i e d t h e h e a t f o r t h e dwelling.Summar
.
-
This f i r e occurred i n a b u i l d i n g of h i s t o r i c a ld
canoe which was s i t u a t e d on the bank of Lake Ontario n e a r t h e e n t r a n c e t o t h e S t . Lawrence River and was once occupied by t h e f i r s t Governor General of Canada (Fig. 17). The f i r e was f i r s t n o t i o e d a t 2.30 a.m. by members of t h e p o l i c e department i n a p a t r o l c a r b u t it had a l r e a d y gained c o n s i d e r a b l e headway i n t h e a e n t r e s e c t i o n . Two of t h e occupants had jumped from second s t o r y windows a t t h e f r o n t of t h e dwelling and had been s e v e r e l y i n j u r e d . Unsuccessful a t t e m p t s were made t o r e s c u e t h e two remaining occupantsi n
a r e a r bedroom. Cause of t h e f i r e could n o t d e f i n i t e l y be5.
Remarks.-
The d e l a y i n d e t e c t i o n of t h i s f i r e p e r m i t t e d i t sm p r e a d i n t h e combustible i n t e r i o r f i n i a h of t h e d w e l l i n g and c o n t e n t s of t h e l i v i n g room. The open s t a i r w a y a t t h e
r e a r of t h e l i v i n g room provided a n i d e a l p a t h f o r t h e upward t r a v e l of smoke, h e a t e d g a s e s , and flame and c u t o f f p o s s i b l e eaoape by t h i s r o u t e . Probably t h e two oooupants were
a s p h y x i a t e d i n t h e r e a r bedroom on t h e second f l o o r b e f o r e t h e f i r e was discovered. The s o l i d masonry w a l l e x t e n d i n g above t h e roof prevented t h e f i r e from s p r e a d i n g t o t h e e a s t and west a e c t l o n s of t h e b u i l d i n g , b u t the l a r g e f r e n a h
windowe provided l i t t l e s u p p o r t and t h e f r o n t w a l l and port100 were completely d e s t r o y e d (Fig. 1 8 ) .
FIRE FATALIW STUDY No.
5158
Looation: Eastview, C a r l e t m CountyDate of f i r e : 7 A p r i l
1958
Occupanog:
Aper tment Time of f i r e : 9.50 a.m.-
Dead: 2 females, ages 2 2and 2 y e a r s .
Members of the F i r e S e c t i o n v i s i t e d the scene of t h i s f i r e on
8
A p r i l1958.
1. S t r u c t u r e .
-
The wood-frame b u i l d i n g was o o n s t r u c t e d on a masonry f o u n d a t i o n apprcaimately 90 f t i n l e n g t h , 40f t i n
width and two s t o r l e s i n h e i g h t . The roof was f l a t , covered w i t h r o l l e d r o o f i n g , t a r , and g r a v e l (Fig. 19). The i n t e r i o r
f i n i s h of the w a l l s , o e i l i n g s and p a r t i t i o n s was mainly of oornbustible m e t e r i a l a (Fig. 20).
2. Oocu ano
.
-
The nine-apartment b u i l d i n g provided aocomrnodation d g e number of people. The three-roomed apartment i n which t h e f i r e oocurred aocommodated f i v e people, f o u r of whom were i n t h e apartment when t h e f i r e s t a r t e d .3.
Heatin.
-
The apartments were heated s e p a r a t e l y w i t h oiB-4
a p p l i a n o e s (Pig. 21).Summar
.
-
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 apartment4*
d
e second f l o o r of the b u i l d i n g . While an occupant of a n a d j o i n i n g apartment was a t t e m p t i n g t o e x t i n g u i s h t h e f i r e , t h e mother l e d h e r two childzren t o s a f e t y andr e t u r n e d t o t r y t o r e s c u e the t N r d c h i l d b u t was o v e r o m e by t o x i a gases. The d e l a y i n c a l . l i n g the f i r e department p e r m i t t e d t h e f i r e t o make r a p i d p r o g r e s s i n t h e combuatihle i n t e r i o r
f i n i s h and p a r t i t i o n s and a l s o made resoue operat ions d i f f i c u l t (Fig. 2 2 ) . Cause of t h e f i r e was a t t r i b u t e d t o c h i l d r e n p l a y i n g w i t h matches and i g n i t i n g papers.
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 a l l t h e a p a r t - ments of t h i s b u i l d i n g ( p a r t of which had f o r m e r l y been ag a r a g e ) . This occurrence emphasizes the need f o r p r o p e r l y enforoed f i r e p r e v e n t i o n and b u i l d i n g codes. Delay i n o a l l i n g t h e f i r e department on d i s c o v e r y of f i r e h a s been r e s p o n s i b l e f o r many s e r i o u s f i r e s and l o s s of l i f e .
FIRE FATALITY STUDY NO.
6/58
Location: Pembroke, Renfrew CountyDate of f i r e :
6
June1958
-
Occupancx: ResidenceTime of f i r s : 7.00 a.m.
-
Dead:4
females, a g e s49,
17,15
and14
years; 1 male, age 3 y e a r s .Members of the F i r e S e o 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
9
J ~ n e1958.
1. S t r u c t u r e .
-
The two-story d w e l l i n g was o o n s t r u c t e d of maaonry b l o c k s and was approximately 20 f ti n
width and 24 f t i nl e n g t h , w i t h a basement. The roof was p i t o h e d w i t h wood j o i s t s sheathed w i t h rough lumber and aovered w i t h t i n sheeting. A
one-atory wood-constructed a d d i t i o n w i t h a shed roof sheathed w i t h rough lumber and r o l l e d r o o f i n g was a t t a c h e d a t t h e r e a r
of t h s d w e l l i n g and used a s a k i t c h e n (Fig. 23). I n t e r i o r f i n i s h of t h e w a l l s and c e i l i n g s i n t h e masonry a e c t i o n of t h e d w e l l i n g was l a t h and p l a s t e r , papered and painted. The wood- c o n s t r u c t e d a d d i t i o n a t the r e a r was f i n i s h e d i n the i n t e r i o r w i t h V-joint and combustible board, p a i n t e d and varnished.
2. Occu anc
.
-
Eight persons normally oooupied t h e six-roome a t t h e time of t h e f i r e . The mother and f o u r c h i l d r e n were a s i e e p i n t h e bedrooms on the second f l o o r .
3.
Heatin-
The dwelling was h e a t e d w i t h a n o i l - b u r n i n g f u r n a c e d i n the basement of the masonry s e c t i o n .Summary.
-
R e p o r t s r e c e i v e d i n d i c a t e t h a t the owner and a roomer l e f t the d w e l l i n g s h o r t l y b e f o r e t h e f i r e was n o t i c e d by a neighbour, who c a l l e d the f i r e department, The f i r eo r i g i n a t e d i n t h e k i t c h e n which was l o c a t e d i n the wood
c o n s t r u c t e d a d d i t i o n a t the r e a r of t h e dwelling, and spread r a p i d l y i n t h e i n t e r i o r combustible f i n i s h ( F i g o 2 4 ) . Smoke and hot gases r e l e a s e d from t h e burning m a t e r i a l s e n t e r e d t h e downstairs rooms through t h e open doorway ( F i g . 2 5 ) and
extended t o t h e second f l o o r bedrooms by way of t h e f r o n t s t a i r c a s e , t h e r e b y c u t t i n g o f f escape of occupants by t h i s r o u t e ( ~ i g . 26). On a r r i v a l of t h e f i r e department i t was r e p o r t e d t h a t the f i r s t f l o o r was completely involved i n smoke and flame and t h a t t h e r e were no v i s i b l e s i g n s of l i f e . Cause of t h e f i r e was not d e f i n i t e l y determined due t o the e x t e n s i v e burning i n t h e k i t c h e n a r e a .
5.
Rbinarks,-
C a r e l e s s n e s s , i n one form o r a n o t h e r , i s r e s p o n s i b l e m a j o r i t y of a l l f i r e s , While the combustible m a t e r i a l s used f o r t h e i n t e r i o r f i n i s h of t h e w a l l s and c e i l i n g of t h i s k i t c h e n c r e a t e d a r a p i d f i r e spread when ignited, t h e f i r e could have been confined had a door been i n s t a l l e d , and c l o s e d , on t h e e n t r a n c e t o t h e masonry s e c t i o n (Fig. 2 5 ) . The g r e a t e s t danger i n a f i r e i s n o t t h e f i r e i t s e l f but the l e t h a l g a s e s which b u i l d up, and mushroom through the b u i l d i n g k i l l i n g q u i c k l y , o f t e n without warning, No doubt panic p r e v a i l e d a t t h e d i s c o v e r y of t h i s f i r e a s a l l the occupants were found assembled i n t h e f r o n t bedroom (F'ig. 26) a t the t o p of the s t a i r c a s e where no f i r e was v i s i b l e , T h e i r i n a b i l i t y t ocompletely c l o s e the bedroom door, due t o hanging c l o t h e s , and t h e i r f a i l u r e t o open the window i n t h e bedroom caused them t o be asphyxiated by hot g a s e s ,
FIRE FATALITY STUDY
NO.^
Location: Ottawa, C a r l e t o n CountyDate of f i r e : 22 Juno
1958
Occupancg: ResidenceTime of f i r e :
9.59
porn.-
Dead: 1 male, age66
y e a r s . Members of t h e F i r e 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 on2 3 June
1958.
1. S t r u c t u r e .
-
The four-door tenement row was a p p r o x i m a t e l y75
f t - m g t h , 25 f t i n w i d t h and 2 1/2 s t o r i e s i n h e i g h t , w i t h no basement. The b u i l d i n g was c o n s t r u c t e d of wood frame w i t h c l a p b o a r d s h e a t h i n g on t h e e x t e r i o r w a l l s . The roof wasp i t c h e d a n d oovered w i t h wood s h i n g l e s (Fig. 2 7 ) . One-story wood-frame s h e d 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 d w e l l i n g s . The i n t e r i o r w a l l a , c e i l i n g s and p a r t i t i o n s were f i n i a h e d w i t h mixed ma t e r i a l a b u t m o s t l y o f cornbust i b l e board.
2.
a
Occu anc.
-
The d w e l l i n g s were occupied by roomers and t h r e e rooms on e a c h f l o o r . An open s t a i r c a s e extended from t h e d i n i n g room t o t h e t o p f l o o r ( ~ i g . 28).An emergenoy e x i t was p r o v i d e d from t h e r e a r windows on t h e t h i r d f l o o r of t h e b u i l d i n g t o a n e x t e r i o r f i r e escape l e a d i n g t o ground l e v e l .
3.
H e a t i n.
-
The d w e l l i n g s were h e a t e d with wood and o i l s t o v e s .d
e l e c t r i c a l a p p l i a n c e s i n t h e bedrooms were used f o rcooking.
Summar
.
-
An occupant of t h e b u i l d i n g d i s c o v e r e d t h e f i r e u r n ng i n t h e wood-frame shed a t t h e r e a r of the e a s t end4.
d
d w e l l i n g ( F i g . 2 9 ) . A d e l a y i n t r a n s m i t t i n g t h e c a l l t o t h e f i r e department p e r m i t t e d t h e f i r e t o s p r e a d i n t o t h e i n t e r i o r
of t h e d w e l l i n g and a t t a c k t h e c o m b u s t i b l e f i n i s h on t h e w a l l s and c e i l i n g s ( F i g . 3 0 ) . The opon s t a - l r c a s e l e a d i n g from t h e d i n i n g room on t h e f i r s t f l o o r p r o v i d e d a passageway f o r l e t h a l g a s e s t o r e a c h the second and t h i r d f l o o r rooms. Some of t h e o c c u p a n t s escaped o u t of r e a r windows while t h e one
v i c t i m was found a s p h y x i a t e d b e s i d e t h e e x i t of h i s t h i r d f l o o r bedroom.
5.
R e m r k s .-
While poor houselreeping and combustible m a t e r i a lwere e v i d e n t i n t h e s e d w e l l i n g s , d o l i b e r a t e s e t t i n g of the f i r e was determined a t a l a t e r d a t e when a d d i t i o n a l f i r e s were d i s c o v e r e d i n a d j a c e n t d w e l l i n g s . Open s t a i r w a y s , always a s o u r c e of danger when f i r e occurs, p e r m i t t e d a passageway f o r t o x i c g a s e s t o p e n e t r a t e upper f l o o r s and c a u s e t h e l o s s of l i f e .
FIRE FATALITY
--
STUDY NO;8/58
Location: Ottawa, C a r l e t o n CountyDate of f i r e :
13
September1958
Time of f i r e : 2.35 porn.-
Occupancx: Apartment
Dead: 1 male, age 57 yeara;
-
6
females, a g e s 32,U ,
9,
and4
y e a r s , and twins 23 months.Members of the F i r e S e c t i o n v i s i t e d the scene of t h i s f i r e on
15
September1958
.
1. S t r u c t u r e .
-
The brick-veneer b u i l d i n g , c o n s t r u c t e d on amasonry f o u n d a t i o n , i s t h r e e starles i n h e i g h t w i t h a basement. The e x t e r i o r dimensions were approximately 27 f t by 30 f t . The roof i s f l a t , c o v e r e d w i t h t a r and g r a v e l (Fig. 3 1 ) . A
two-story wood-frame a d d i t i o n w i t h a f l a t roof and t h e e x t e r i o r w a l l s covered w i t h t i n s h e e t i n g was c o n s t r u c t e d a t the r e a r
and provided a d d i t i o n a l l i v i n g q u a r t e r s ( ~ i g . 32 )
.
The i n t e r i o r f i n i s h of t h e w a l l s and c e i l i n g s i n the f r o n t s e c t i o n of t h e b u i l d i n g was l a t h and p l a s t e r w i t h V-joint p a r t i t i o n s ( F i g .33),
t h e rooms i n the r e a r s e c t i o n were f i n i s h e d w i t h V- j o i n t and combustible board (Fig.
34)'.
2. Occupanoy.
-
The b u i l d i n g contained small apartments and r e n t e d rooms on each f l o o r ; f i v e of t h e seven v i c t i m s of the f i r ewere c h i l d r e n l o c a t e d i n a n apartment on t h e t h i r d f l o o r a t t h e f r o n t of t h e b u i l d i n g , t h e remaining two v i c t i m s were s e v e r e l y burnt while t r y i n g t o escape from t h e second f l o o r f r o n t balcony ( F i g .
31).
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 an o i l - b u r n i n g f u r n a c e d b a s e r n e n t end a d d i t i o n a l o i l - h e a t i n g u n i t s on upperf l o o r s (Fig.
35).
.
-
The f i r e o r i g i n a t e d i n the apartment on t h e f i r s t by t h e owner of t h e b u i l d i n g ( ~ i g .34)
and was d i s c o v e r e d by a neighbour when smoke and flame were n o t i c e d coming from t h e r e a r windows. The f i r e seemed t o spread very q u i c k l y i n the i n t e r i o r of t h e f i r s t f l o o r and s t a i r c a s ewhich l e d t o t h e upper f l o o r s ( F i g .
36)
where flame and hot g a s e s c u t o f f t h e escape of t h e occupants. Cause of t h e f i r e was i n c e n d i a r y .,
Remarks.-
Delay i n d i s c o v e r y of t h e f i r e due t o t h e absenoe o f y of t h e oouupanta was t h e main f a o t o r i n t h e l o s s ofl i f e i n t h i s f i r e . Occupants on t h e seoond f l o o r and un-
a t t e n d e d c h i l d r e n on t h e t h i r d f l o o r were not aware of t h e danger u n t i l t r a p p e d by f i r e and smoke. Emergency e g r e s s
from t h e t h i r d f l o o r was provided t h r o u g h r e a r bedroom windows ( F i g .
37)
t o a wooden s t a i r o a s e l e a d i n g t o ground l e v e l (Fig.38), b u t t h i s r o u t e was v e r y d i f f i a u l t f o r c h i l d r e n , To a i d i n t h e s a v i n g of l i f e t h e q u i c k sounding of a n alarm i s of v i t a l importance and more a t t e n t i o n should be p a i d t o t h e p o t e n t i a l l i f e h a z a r d t h a t e x i s t s i n most of t h e s e o l d
FIRE FATALITY STlJDY No.
9 / 5
-
-
8Locat ion: Pe tawawa Township, Henfrew County
Date of f i r e :
18
October1958
Occupancx: DwellingTime of f i r e : 1.30 a.m.
-
Dead: 2 males,47
and18
y e a r s ; 2 f e m a l e s , 27 and
3
y e a r s . Members of t h e F i r e S e a 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 18 October1958.
1. S t r u c t u r e .-
T h i s o n e - s t o r y l o g c a b i n was c o n s t r u c t e d on a wood-plank f o u n d a t i o n . The p i t c h e d r o o f was s u p p o r t e d w i t h wood j o i s t covered w i t h rough b o a r d s and s h e a t h e d w l t h r o l l e d r o o f i n g . E x t e r i o r dimensions of t h e b u i l d i n g were a p p r o x i m a t e l y 20 f t by15
f t . I n t e r i o r w a l l s and c e i l i n g were f i n i s h e d w i t h c o m b u s t i b l e b o a r d and paper. The c a b i n was wired f o r e l e o t r i - c i t y b u t d i d n o t c o n t a i n plumbing f a c i l i t i e s ( F i g .39).
2. O c c u p a n c ~ .
-
The c a b i n was occupied by a f a m i l y of t h r e e and one roomer. A t t h e time of t h e f i r e a l l t h e occupants were s l e e p i n g .3.
H e a t i n.
-
Heatlng and oooking f a c i l i t i e s were provided by d a n d wood s t o v e l o c a t e d a t t h e s o u t h w a l l of t h e c a b i n( F i g .
4,
Summary.-
The f i r e seemed t o have o r i g i n a t e d around t h e s t o v e where, i t was r e p o r t e d , a l a r g e q u a n t i t y of wood and p a p e r were s t o r e d f o r f u e l . The d e l a y i n d i s c o v e r i n g t h e f i r e , and t h e time t a k e n i n s e c u r i n g f i r e f i g h t i n g equipment from t h e n e a r b y m u n i c i p a l i t i e s , permit tod t h e f i r e t o s p r e a d r a p i d l y i n t h e combustible i n t e r i o r f i n i s h of t h e w a l l s and c e i l i n g . The f o u r o c c u p a n t s were a s p h y x i a t e d . L o c a t i o n of t h e v i c t i m s when found i n d i c a t e d t h n t t h e y had a t t e m p t e d t o r e a c h t h e doorway ( F i g ,41).
5,
Remarks.-
Crowded l i v i n g c o n d i t i o n s and poor housekeeping conditTons were e v i d e n t i n t h i s one-room s u b s t a n d a r d d w e l l i n g . The o n l y e x i t door was l o c a t e d a d j a c e n t t o t h e s t o v e where t h e f i r e o c c u r r e d and a smouldering f i r e i n t h e i n t e r i o ra s p h y x i a t e d t h e o c c u p a n t s while t h e y were a s l e e p . Many r u r a l a r e a s permit t h i s typo of c o n s t r u c t i o n b u t t h i s f i r e i l l u s t r a t e s t h e need of p r o p e r l y e n f o r c e d b u i l d l n g and f i r e p r e v e n t i o n
APPENDIX A
Fire Fatality Investigation Forms: I. Report on Fatal Fire
N a t i o n a l Research C o u n c i l D i v i s i o n o f B u i l d i n g R e s e a r c h F i r e R e s e a r c h S e c t i o n
F i r e F a t a l i t y I n v e e t i ~ a t i o n Form (Ir
REPORT ON FATAL FIRE
F u l l a d d r e s s o f f i r e (number, s t r e e t
-
--
- -
-
-
- - -
- -
- - -
- -
m u n i c i p a l i t y , and c o u n t y o r d i s t r i c t !. . .
- - -
- - -
Date of f i r e-
A.M.+ -AX,/? .R
.-*-
Time Of outbreak
- - -
-
-
Time a l a r m r e c e i v e d- -
-
- -
-
- - -
-
- -
EST/EDST a(8.8. h o t e l , c l o t h i n g f a c t o r y , e t o . ) I f d w e l l i n g , s t a t e whether f o r one
y o r more, and whether a p a r t m e n t , double, duplex, s e p a r a t e house, e t o . I f "mixed occupancyn, e.g. p a r t d w e l l i n g , p a r t s t o r e s , s t a t e occupancy f o r e a c h s t o r e y .
Area On a s e p a r a t e s h e e t , p l e a s e g i v e , Width i f o u can, e n o u t l i n e s k e t c h p l a n o f e a c h ( ~ a s e m e n t / c e l l a r - f t .
s t o r e y of t h e b u i l n i n g , w i t h approximate round f l o o r : measurements. Show p o i n t where f i r e s t a r t e d (Higher s t o r e y s : and where b o d i e s a e r e found.
How many s t o r e y s ? How many p e o p l e n o r m a l l
7 e x c l u d i n g ba sernent )
-
- - -
- - -
-
-
-
r e s i d e d i n t h e b u i l d i n g ;-
- - -
-
- - -
-
-
-
--
Was basernent u s e d a s l i v i n g a l l a r t e r e ? Y ~ S / N O / N O basement e x i s t e d / D o n c t know -3C o n s t r u c t i o n of e x t e r i o r w a l l s
- - -
T c l a p b o a r d , b r i c k v e n e e r , s o l i d - b F i a T stc.7- - -
I n t e r i o r f i n i s h o f roonl where f i r e s t a r t e d-
-- - -
-- - -
- - - -
, , , ,-
,-
, ,--
( w a l l p a p e r e d l a t h and p l a s t e r ; p a € n t e d gypsum w a l l b o a r d , e t c . )- - -
- - -
% h e r e d i d f l r e s t a r t , and on which s t o r e ~ ?-
-
- -
-
-
- - - -
- -
- -
-
- - -
- - -
How d i d t h e f i r e s t a r t ?'Ta! qource of i g n i t i o n (lamp, r a n g e , e t c e )
- -
-
-
-
-
-- - - -
-
- -
--
- - -
- -
( b ) Yfi'lh~t f u e l ( i f a n y ) d i d i t u s e ? ( o i l , g a s , e l e c . )
-
- -
-
- - -
-
-
-
- -
- - - -
-
( c ) !mat P l r s t i g n i t e d ? ( c u r t a i n s , bedding, e t c . )- -
- -
- - -
-- -
-- - - -
--
-
-
-
( d ) and why? (lamp knncked o v e r , p l a y i n g w i t h matches, e t c . )
- -
-
- -
-
-
- - -
-
-
- -
-
Yas t h e f i v e c o n f j n o d t o : Room o f o r l g i n / S t o r e y of o r I g i n / B u l l d i n g of o r i g i n / * o r d i d i t e x t e n d t o o t h e r b u i l d € n g ( s ) ?
nirl any f i r e departirlent a t t e n d t h i s f l r e ?
- -
-
-
- -
-
- - -
- -
-
- - -
-
( I f y ~ s , s?n:;e w h ' c h f ! r e d e p a r t ~ ? e n t . )Vas t h e r e , o r w ! l l yes/b7o 3'.
How many 4 ~ 8 t h ~ fr.i)m t7i€s f i r e ?
-
-
- - -
- -
t h e r e be. a n i n q u e s t 9Any f u r t h e r r e n a r k s ( ~ o v e r s e s i d e o r separa.be s h e e t m a y be u s e d a l s o )
- -
- - -
- -
--
-
-
- - -
- - - -
. . .
P l e a s e s e n d any evall.ablc p h o t o g r a p h s , and s t a t e what payment i s r e q u i r e d . They w i l l be r e t u r n e d i f n o t needed.
PLEASE ALSO COMPLETE BLUE FORM: ONE COPY FOR EACH FATALITY
3:-
-
C r o s s o u t whjchever does n o t a p p l yDate
6s t iotrnl I i o s e e r c h C o u n c i l D i v i s i o n o f B u i l d i n g B e s e a r c h F i r e R e s e a r c h S e c t i o n
F i r e F a t a l i t y I n v e s t , i u a t i o n Form (IIL
REPORT G N FIRE VICTIM
( P l e a s e c o m p l e t e one form f o r e a c h f a t a l i t y )
Name o f v i c t i m Age S e x P i h e r s a b o u t s i n t b e b u i l d i n g d i d t h e v i c t i m o b t a i n h i s i n j u r i e s ? - - - _ (inention which s t o r e y )
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lahg was the v i c t i m t r a p p e d o r o t h e r w i s e ~ m a b l e t o e s c a p e ?
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2. CLOTHING FIRE I f t h e f a t a l i t y wqs due t o t h e v i c t i m ' s c l o t h i n g becoming i g n i t e d : -
How d i d t h i s h a p p e n ?
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'"%at. w s s t h e t y p c o f ~ o r n e n t f l r ~ l . i;:nited? ( s h i r t , s k i r t , e t c . !
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F a b r i c : e t a t e n m a i n c r ~ n s t i t u e n t ( c o t t o n , wcjol, e t c . )If q v a i l s b ' l e , 91 ea s e sell? o n unhlmnt p i e c e o f t h e fgEixe> .errrent,
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i f p o s s i b l e a s q u a r e f o o t o r more. 3 . TNFANT I f t h o v i c t i m wns a c h i l da
t h e n s e v e n yoar.3 o l d : - ','Jllo w a s t \ e ? e r s o n j n c h a r g e o f or' r e s p o n s i L l e f o r t , \ i ~ c h i l d ? Te.A. p a r e n t , baby s i t t e r , ~ t c . 1 - - How o l d was. . .
t h l s p e r s o n ?- - -
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I f t h e responsible p a r s o n was n o t i n t h e same b u i l r l i n e a s t h e c h i l d a t
t h e t i r e of t h e f i r e , how l o n g h R d he/siie been a w a y ?
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I f t h e r e s p o n s i b l e p e r s o n w z t h e r e , why w n s h e / s h e u n a b l e t c s a f e g u a r dt h e I n f a r i t ?
4.
If t h e questions above do n o t f i t t h e c 3 r c i l m s t a n c e s , p l e a s e g i v e y o u r own a c c o u n t on annt.her s l i e e t , o r o n t h e b a c k of t h i ~ one.Fig.
P
V i e w of remains of % r a i l e r adjacent ts new residence of vic-$iwn. F i g . 2 Showing IocaPrion of stoves used, DBR Report No. 176FIRE FATALITY STUDY
H o e
2/57P i g , 3 View sf esnvaleseen$
home.
Pig.
4
Showing %n%erior ofwoodframe a d d i t i o n s .
P i g . 5 V i e w of i n t e r i o r
showing combustible board p a r t i t i o n s
.
Pig,
6
Showing one of t h e 053.-burning heatingwits
.
Fig. 7 Room where fire
firs% ns-biced.
Pig. 8 Interior view of
second f l o o r ,
Figc 9 One of the electric
power Pine poles
ignited from over- heated wtring.
Fig. 18 See-tion 0% f i r s t
f % o o r sleeping quae%srs.
PIRE FATALITY STPS99'I NIQ. 5/57
Fig.
II
View o f dwelling showing frame adtIi%ion a$ the rear. Pig. 12 V i e w of interior showing where f i r e s p r e a d an eombns- t i b l e f i n i s h .P i g . 13 Showing how fire
spread $0 second
floor through concealed space.
P i g . 14 Open f r o n t staircase where heat and gases
extended $0 second
FIRE FATALITY STUDY NO. 4/58
Fig. 15 Interior of
centre seetfsn where fire o c c w r e d .
Pig. 17 Showing plaque
on g r o w d s . P%g. 16 View at rear of dwelling where v i c t i m s were sleeping
on
second f laor. F i g . 18 V i e w of f r o n t wall csnstmo- t i o n .DBR
Report BQ.176
IiTRE FATALITY STUDY NO.
5/58
Pig. 19 View of stores
and apartmen%, Pig, 20 View i n t e r i o r showing esnstm@$ion, P i g , 21 EL$ckaen where %he fire o c c m e d . Fig. 22 Entrance to apartment where fire extended.
F I 3 E
FATALITY
STmY NO. 6 / 5 8Pig. 23 Wosd-frame kitchen at r e a r of residence where f i r e occurred, Fig. 24 Pnterioz- o f k i t c h e n . P i g , 25 Showing where fire extended $0 dining room in maso sec%ios%.
Fig. 26 Door into bedroom where v i c t i m s f 0 ~ d 8t t 0 ~ of stairs. C l o t h e s on t h e door which prevented p r o p e r closing.
FIRE
FATALITY
STTI5YHO.
7/58Pig, 27 P r o n t view of
tenement. Pig. 28 V i e w showing open s t a i r c a s e l e a d i n g
%PO% first floor.
Pig. 29 Wear view of building showing wood shed destroyed and where fire extended %o rear
kitchen.
F%g, 30 I n t e r l o r of k i t c h e n where fire spread;
note combustible
w a l l finish,
PIFE
FATALITY
STUDY 80. 8 / 5 8Fig. 91 Ikon% view of building. Fig. 32 Rear vie% of building,
where fire occurred.
P i g . 3 3 Interior view sf
ground f l o o r where
fire spread.
Fig. 34 Room
on
r e a r ground f l o o rwhere
f i r eFIRE
PATALITY
STUDYNO,
8/58 Fig.35
V i e w of oil b m i n g m i % and entmwce to third f l o o r . FBg.36
Open f r o n t staircase leading t o upper floors.Pig.
37
Exit from t h i r d f l o o rwindow leading to
wood staircase,
Note t h e wooden plat- form at the window
and %he screen.
F%g, 38 V i e w showing r e a r
exit from second and t h i r d f l o o r s .
Fig.
39
View 0% the lag cabin. Ffg. 4 0 View showtng s$oveand entrance,
Fig, 41 F l o o r plan which %ndica%es t h e
locathsn of the four victims when -they were found,