Fires at 2 separate apartment towers displace tenants and send 2 to hospital
Fire officials say a resident used a bedsheet to rappel down to another balcony
Fire crews in London were kept busy Sunday responding to two separate fires at apartment buildings that have displaced a number of people from their homes.
The first broke out shortly after 10 a.m. in the city's south end in an upper storey unit in a tower at Bradley and Ernest avenues.
Fire officials said one person was found unconscious in the apartment and was taken to hospital with unknown injuries. The second occupant used a tied-up bedsheet to rappel down to a lower balcony to escape the flames, witnesses said. Firefighters were also able to rescue the family's dog.
"The fire was contained to the fifth-floor unit, however it was a very dirty fire, smokey fire. High heat vented out through the front window. Crews overcome lots of challenges to be able to knock this fire down," Platoon Chief Colin Shewell said.
At least four families have had to leave their homes due to smoke damage, with London Police reporting that they are investigating the cause. Damage was estimated to be approximately $350,000.
"Everyone did what they were supposed to, (they) either sheltered in place, or they were able to use a different stairwell where it wasn't affected by the smoke. A good news story. Fire alarm worked as needed," Shewell said.
Hale Street fire
At a different building in London's east-end, other Londoners found themselves fleeing their homes when a fire broke out around 3 p.m. on Hale Street.
One person was sent to hospital, firefighters said, with the severity of their injuries not yet known.
