Dec. 08, 2008
False fire alarms have been common at the downtown St. Catharines rooming house, and Ley, a resident of 131 King St. who also cleans the two-storey building, wanted to ensure all the tenants knew this time it wasn't a drill.
St. Catharines Fire Cheif Mark Mehlenbacher said careless smoking in one of the second-floor rented rooms likely caused the fire and an estimated $300,000 damage.
"It was very severe," Mehlenbacher said. "Let's say we're very fortunate that we don't have fatalities."
Mehlenbacher said the fire and smoke damage was extensive. Repairs will have to be made to the building before tenants can return, he said.
Please see full article from The St. Catharines Standard: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1331857