Cambridge house fire causes $400K in damages
Four adults and a baby have been displaced after a fire broke out at their Cambridge home late Thursday night.
Cambridge Fire said crews from four stations responded to Ballantyne Avenue in Galt around 10:20 p.m. Paramedics treated two people for smoke inhalation at the scene but they did not require further treatment in hospital.
The cause of the fire has been determined to be electric. This is the second electrical fire Cambridge Fire has seen in the past two days.
“That’s two electrical fires in two nights for Cambridge Fire, two families that barely escaped,” said Deputy Fire Chief Brad Churchill with Cambridge Fire Department. “They did have working smoke and CO alarms so they were quickly notified and able to get out just in time.”
A neighbourhood pet sounded the alarm to its owners Thursday night after hearing commotion from across the street.
“My dog, he barked and we both heard an unusual sound so we looked outside the side door and we found out there were fire trucks and everything,” said neighbour Angela Bradbury.
With fire trucks and over 25 firefighters across the street, Bradbury says she was shocked by the events that were unfolding in front of her.
“It was just a real shock in the neighbourhood because we do have a lot of different things that happen here but the neighbourhood is still always tight. But when I found out it was my neighbour’s house, I was so scared,” she added.
The house is now boarded up after regional officials came to secure the home. According to Cambridge Fire, the flames began in the basement and made their way to the main floor, causing an estimated $400,000 worth of damage.
“The first thought that came to my mind was obviously ‘oh my gosh, is everyone okay?’ We’re really hoping we can get them their stuff back that they lost,” said neighbour Samantha Bradbury.
Fire officials say electrical issues also sparked flames at a home on Patton Drive early Thursday morning. At a time when families are decorating their Christmas trees with lights and setting up electric decorations, Cambridge Fire is urging caution and to avoid using so-called octopus outlets that cluster wires and plugs together.
“With the holidays here, we like to plug in all sorts of different electric candles, Christmas trees, exterior lights, again, we don’t want to overload those circuits,” said Deputy Fire Chief Brad Churchill. “So make sure you’re not using octopus wiring, that you do have a certified electrician coming in to add extra electrical outlets if required.”
Cambridge Fire said all five residents of the home on Ballantyne Avenue have been displaced and the Red Cross is working with them to find accommodation.
Correction
A previous version of this story stated two people were taken to hospital however Cambridge Fire clarified that they were treated and released at the scene.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Loblaw ends No Name price freeze, vows 'flat' pricing 'wherever possible'
Loblaw will not be extending its price freeze on No Name brand products, but vows to keep the yellow label product-pricing flat 'wherever possible.'
Family in remote northern Ont. reeling after daughter killed in fire, home destroyed
A family in the remote community of Peawanuck, Ont., is dealing not only with the death of their young daughter, but the loss of everything they owned in a Jan. 28 house fire.
opinion
opinion | Don Martin: Trudeau meets the moment – and ducks for cover
Based on Justin Trudeau's first-day fail in the House of Commons, 'meeting the moment' is destined to become the most laughable slogan since the elder Pierre Trudeau’s disastrous campaign rallying cry in 1972, which insisted 'the land is strong' just as the economy tanked.
Canada Post honours Chloe Cooley with stamp in time for Black History Month
A young Black woman who resisted her own enslavement in Queenston, Upper Canada, in the late 18th century is being honoured by Canada Post.
Economy grew by 0.1 per cent in November, Statistics Canada says
Statistics Canada says the economy grew by 0.1 per cent in November.
Pakistan blames 'security lapse' for mosque blast; 100 dead
A suicide bombing that struck inside a mosque at a police and government compound in northwest Pakistan reflects 'security lapses,' current and former officials said as the death toll from the devastating blast climbed to 100 on Tuesday.
'Laverne & Shirley' actor Cindy Williams dies at 75
Cindy Williams, who was among the most recognizable stars in America in the 1970s and 80s for her role as Shirley opposite Penny Marshall's Laverne on the beloved sitcom 'Laverne & Shirley,' has died, her family said Monday.
Federal agency targeting illegal wildlife trade through financial intelligence
Canada's financial intelligence agency is stepping up the fight against the illicit wildlife trade by taking aim at the criminals who reap big profits from the global racket.
Russian business offers cash bounties to destroy Western tanks in Ukraine
A Russian company said it will offer five million roubles (US$72,000) in cash to the first soldiers who destroy or capture western-made tanks in Ukraine, after the Kremlin vowed Russian forces would wipe out any Western tanks shipped to Ukraine.
London
-
London Plan takes its lumps as neighbours slam more infill developments
While Londoners have generally united behind The London Plan’s philosophy that the city must slow sprawl through intensification, delivering on that promise is fueling division.On Monday, a pair of higher-density developments became the latest test of council’s commitment to intensification.
-
The Farmers' Almanac just revealed Ontario's spring forecast. Here's what to expect
The Farmers' Almanac just revealed its spring 2023 forecast and Ontario, along with much of the rest of Canada, is expected to see a “turbulent transition to warmth,” the agency predicts.
-
Wind chill values dip to -22 C in London region
Wind chill values will be the story of the forecast for a good portion of the week. The thermometer will read much lower than average temperatures for this time of year in the London region, but the wind chill will be even colder.
Windsor
-
EMS treating 'two critical patients' after crash on Queen's Line
Chatham-Kent EMS is assessing and treating “two critical patients” following a crash on Queen’s Line. Emergency crews were called to the scene at Sinclair Road 2 around 7 a.m.
-
Postmedia cuts more than 75 printing, inserting jobs in Windsor: Unifor
Postmedia Network Corp. has cut more than 75 jobs by outsourcing the printing and inserting of the Windsor Star, according to Unifor and CWA Canada.
-
Bone chilling wind chill values in Windsor-Essex
Wind chill values will be the story of the forecast for a good portion of the week. The thermometer will read lower than average temperatures for this time of year, but the wind chill will be even colder.
Barrie
-
Travel advisory for parts of Central Ontario
Winter weather advisories were issued for Central Ontario this morning.
-
Barrie police officer pleads guilty to assault charge
Jason Stamp, a former Barrie police officer, has pleaded guilty to assault of skateboarder.
-
Ice fishing is still on thin ice
While people are still waiting to head out on some parts of Lake Simcoe, many have been out for weeks in certain areas
Northern Ontario
-
Ontario woman shocked she has to pay for car repairs after hit-and-run collision
An Ontario woman said she was shocked when she had to pay for repairs after her car was struck from behind by a pick-up truck and the driver fled the scene of the collision.
-
'Laverne & Shirley' actor Cindy Williams dies at 75
Cindy Williams, who was among the most recognizable stars in America in the 1970s and 80s for her role as Shirley opposite Penny Marshall's Laverne on the beloved sitcom 'Laverne & Shirley,' has died, her family said Monday.
-
Why adding a bit of milk to your morning coffee might be good for you
Adding some milk to your morning coffee may boost the body's anti-inflammatory response, new research out of Denmark shows.
Ottawa
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Man stabbed to death in south Ottawa apartment
The Ottawa police homicide unit is investigating after a man was stabbed to death at an apartment in the city's south end overnight.
-
Patients left in lurch after Orleans doctors plan to close practices
Patients of an east Ottawa clinic say they've been left in the lurch after learning they would need to find new family doctors because their doctors were closing their medical practices.
-
OPP identify victim in Eganville femicide as mother of accused
Ontario Provincial Police have formally identified a woman who was found dead in Eganville last week as the mother of an 18-year-old man accused of murder.
Toronto
-
Ontario woman shocked she has to pay for car repairs after hit-and-run collision
An Ontario woman said she was shocked when she had to pay for repairs after her car was struck from behind by a pick-up truck and the driver fled the scene of the collision.
-
Union Station subways and buses diverted during rush hour after reports of a person with a knife
Subways and buses were diverted away from Union Station during rush hour on Tuesday morning due to a security incident that has since been lifted.
-
Tractor trailer collision on Highway 401 in Mississauga creating major blockage
Traffic is a mess on the eastbound Highway 401 in Mississauga following a collision involving the drivers of a tractor trailer and three other vehicles.
Montreal
-
Quebec's efforts to hire nurses from abroad falling short
After failing to recruit hundreds of orderlies internationally, François Legault's government is now dangling the same solution to the nursing shortage. If the past is any indication of the future, the chances are slim that Quebec will see thousands of professional nurses coming to the rescue of the health-care system.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER | Polar vortex to bring coldest air in years to parts of Quebec
So far, the winter season across Southwestern Quebec has been marked by above-average snowfall and above-average temperatures, but that is about to change. Cold, arctic air has been gradually pushing into the province. Many residents across Northern Quebec woke up to extreme cold warnings Tuesday morning.
-
Family of man killed while unlawfully detained in Montreal jail wants surveillance video released
The family of a Montreal man who died after he was seriously injured by jail guards while he was illegally detained is calling for surveillance video of the incident to be released publicly. 'It is our understanding that the footage has been reviewed – and is extremely disturbing. But that is more reason to release the video footage immediately,' said the CCLA's Akwasi Owusu-Bempah.
Atlantic
-
911 issues fixed in the Maritimes following Tuesday morning outage
911 emergency calling in all three Maritime provinces has been fixed following service issues Tuesday morning.
-
Frigid temperatures expected to hit the Maritimes later this week
Frigid temperatures are expected to hit the Maritimes later this week as a wave of Arctic air moves into the region.
-
Man dies after he was found unconscious in Cape Breton jail cell
An inmate at the provincial jail in Cape Breton has died after he was found unconscious in his cell.
Winnipeg
-
'We don't turn anyone away': How organizations are helping Winnipeg's most vulnerable during cold snap
An extreme cold warning is in effect for Winnipeg, and as temperatures dip to dangerous levels, some shelters are at – or even over – capacity.
-
Man found dead in Winnipeg hotel; police investigating as homicide
Winnipeg police are investigating the death of a 40-year-old Winnipeg man at a Main Street hotel as a homicide.
-
Extreme cold to continue for rest of the week in Manitoba
For anyone looking for a break from the frigid Manitoba cold, you may have to wait another few days.
Calgary
-
UCP holds narrow lead with upcoming election set to be political horserace: ThinkHQ
A new political poll crafted by ThinkHQ Public Affairs says if an election were held in Alberta today, voters would be split on who should form the next government.
-
Search underway for Calgary senior last seen in Marlborough Park
The Calgary Police Service is asking Calgarians to keep an eye out for a 76-year-old man who went missing Monday afternoon.
-
Show-home window shattered in possible drive-by shooting in northeast Calgary
It happened at a show home owned by Jayman at 68th Street and Corner Meadows Way N.E. just before 6 p.m. on Monday.
Edmonton
-
'Disturbing': Smith promises change after Edmonton bus damaged, rider threatened with ice pick
A 20-year-old man has been arrested and charged after police say he caused more than $5,000 worth of damage to an Edmonton Transit Bus and threatened a female passenger, acts that drew condemnation from Alberta's premier.
-
Nature Conservancy of Canada purchases land for protection in southern Alberta
A property that includes fescue grasslands, forests and wetlands near Waterton Lakes National Park in southern Alberta has been purchased by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
-
Canada Post honours Chloe Cooley with stamp in time for Black History Month
A young Black woman who resisted her own enslavement in Queenston, Upper Canada, in the late 18th century is being honoured by Canada Post.
Vancouver
-
As B.C. decriminalizes hard drugs, users still face months-long waits for treatment
As the B.C. government decriminalizes small amounts of hard drugs, critics note there are still not enough treatment resources for the users seeking them.
-
ICBC finds cyclist 50% at fault after car allegedly drove over her bike
A cyclist in Chilliwack is frustrated with ICBC’s decision to find her 50 per cent at fault after a car allegedly drove over her bike in a road rage incident.
-
Crow released after spending weeks living at Vancouver airport
A crow that made the Vancouver International Airport its home for weeks has been released into the wild.