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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2005
Attention Editors/News Directors
Tuesday, June 28, 2005 – The Office of the Fire Marshal
has confirmed that an apartment fire that killed a 20-year-old man and his
three-week-old daughter in Cornwall on Thursday, June 23 started as a result of
a light duty extension cord connected to a window air conditioner.
An investigation determined that the fire started when an overloaded extension
cord ignited the fabric skirt of a couch that was touching the cord. This type
of light duty extension cord is typically recommended for use with lamps and
radios.
“The extension cord was overloaded by the air conditioner and ignited the
couch,” said Bernard Moyle, Fire Marshal of Ontario. “If you must use an
extension cord for this purpose make sure you purchase a heavy-duty air
conditioning cord.”
Light duty extension cords cannot handle the load of air conditioners and other
heavy appliances. Refer to the air conditioner manufacturers’ recommendations
for the correct gauge and length of extension cord to use.
The investigation also determined that while there was a smoke alarm in the
apartment it did not work because there was no battery.
“This is a tragic example of how a working smoke alarm could have saved two
lives,” said Moyle. “Removing the battery from your smoke alarm puts your family
at risk and is against the law. Make sure your smoke alarms work. They double
your chances of survival.”
Working smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home and outside
all sleeping areas.
The Office of the Fire Marshal, the Cornwall Fire Department and the Cornwall
Police Service conducted the investigation.
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For more information, contact:
Bev Gilbert, Office of the Fire Marshal, 416-325-3178
Chris Slosser, Office of the Fire Marshal, 416-325-3120
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