Illegal rooming house owner charged with violating fire code

A Calgary man has been charged with 29 fire code violations after two men died in a fire in an illegal rooming house that he owned.

Investigators said they believe an electrical overload sparked the fire on July 31 at 1810-1st St. N.W. The house was zoned for a single family dwelling but held eight individual suites, each with its own set of appliances.

Two tenants died in the fire while five others escaped.

Investigators found the house had no fire alarm system, and the windows were nailed shut.

Yan Teng Li, who owns the house, was charged Saturday with:

• Failing to have a fire alarm system.
• Failing to have smoke detectors connected to a fire alarm system.
• Seven counts of failing to have smoke alarms installed in each sleeping room.
• Two counts of failing to keep exit windows unobstructed.
• Failing to have emergency lighting for means of egress.
• Three charges of failing to have an appropriate multi-purpose dry chemical fire extinguisher.
• Eight counts of failing to inspect, test, maintain smoke alarms and provide tenants with evacuation procedures and emergency instructions for the building.
• Three counts of failing to post floor plans showing exits and emergency evacuation routes.
• Two counts of failing to maintain portable fire extinguishers.
• One charge of failing to have an electrical installation conform to electrical regulations.

Each charge carries a maximum fine for a first offence of $15,000, or six months imprisonment, or both a fine and imprisonment.

Li is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 3.

"The violations were obvious, the deaths were tragic, and it is our desire to send a strong message that these types of living conditions will not be tolerated," said Brad Lorne, Calgary fire deputy chief of community standards, in a news release.

Fire officials said because many illegal rooming houses and rentals are not registered, they cannot be inspected.

They said members of the public who suspect an illegal rooming house is operating in their neighbourhood should report it to the safe housing inspection program, which tries to protect tenants from potentially dangerous living conditions.