Couple Safe After Fire Guts Mississauga Mansion

The 100-year-old mansion in Mississauga was badly damaged in the three-alarm blaze, which broke out just after 1am Wednesday on Saxony Crt. near Mississauga Rd. and the QEW.

Firefighters battled the inferno for three hours before finally getting it under control. At its peak, flames were shooting from the roof. The house was in the process of being renovated, and officials say damage could be in the millions.

“The house is considerably older. I would say well over a century old. The dollar loss will be well up in the millions,” said Dep. Fire Chief John McDougall.

“I’d estimate between $1.5 to $2 million probably.”

Fortunately the residents were alerted to the smoke by their working smoke detector, and they managed to make it out without being hurt.

There’s no word yet on what may have caused the fire, but the Fire Marshal will be on the scene to investigate. Crews will also be standing by all day in case of flare-ups.

Smoke alarm statistics:

• Majority of fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms
• Cut risk of death by 50 per cent by installing smoke alarms
• 95 per cent of Canadian homes have smoke alarms
• It’s the law. As of last March, every home in Ontario is required to having working smoke detectors on each floor. Fines range from $235 to $50,000 if you’re caught not complying

Things To Consider When Choosing A Smoke Alarm

Courtesy of London Fire Services

Be sure the smoke alarms you buy carry the label of an independent testing laboratory such as ULC or CSA.

Several types of alarms are available. Some run on batteries, others on household electric current. Some detect smoke using an “ionization” sensor, others use a “photoelectric” detection system. All approved smoke alarms, regardless of the type, will offer adequate protection provided they are installed and maintained properly.

Every home should have a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. On floors without bedrooms, alarms should be installed in or near living areas, such as dens, living rooms, or family rooms.

Be sure everyone sleeping in your home can hear your smoke alarms. If any residents are hearing-impaired or sleep with bedroom door closed, install additional alarms inside sleeping areas as well. There are special smoke alarms for the hearing impaired that flash a light in addition to sounding an audible alarm.

For extra protection, fire departments suggest installing alarms in dining rooms, furnace rooms, utility rooms and hallways. Smoke alarms are not recommended for kitchens, bathrooms or garages – where cooking fumes, steam or exhaust fumes could set off false alarms.

Where to Install

Because smoke rises, mount alarms high on a wall or on the ceiling, depending on the manufacturers instructions.

In stairways with no doors at the top or bottom, position smoke alarms anywhere in the path of smoke moving up the stairs. But always position smoke alarms at the bottom of closed stairways, such as those leading to the basement, because dead air trapped near the door at the top of a stairway could prevent smoke from reaching an alarm located at the top.

Do not install a smoke alarm too near a window, door, or forced-air register where drafts could interfere with the alarm’s operation. For the best results, follow the printed instructions that come with the smoke alarm.

Installation

Most battery-powered smoke alarms and alarms that plug into wall outlets can be installed using only a drill and a screwdriver by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Plug-in alarms must have restraining devices so they cannot be unplugged by accident. Alarms can also be hard-wired into a building’s electrical system. Hard-wired alarms should be installed by a qualified electrician. Never connect a smoke alarm to a circuit that can be turned off by a wall switch.

False Alarms

Cooking vapours and steam sometimes set off a smoke alarm. To correct this, try moving the alarm away from the kitchen or bathroom or install an exhaust fan. Cleaning your alarm regularly, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, may also help. There are also alarms available that have hush buttons that will silence them for a short period of time as cooking or a shower takes place.

If “nuisance alarms” persist, do not disable the alarm. Replace it!

Maintenance

Only a functioning smoke alarm can protect you.

Never disable an alarm by borrowing its battery for another use.

Following the manufacturer’s instructions, test all your smoke alarms monthly and install new batteries at least once a year. A good reminder is when you change your clocks in the spring or fall: change your clock, change your battery.

Clean your smoke alarms using a vacuum cleaner without removing the alarm’s cover.

Never paint a smoke alarm.

Smoke alarms do not last forever. Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old.

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