Six college students displaced after fire rips through Cambridge townhouse
Six Conestoga College students are now staying in temporary accommodations after flames tore through their Cambridge townhome early Monday morning.
One of the residents told CTV News they woke up to smoke so thick they could barely see more than a foot in front of them.
The fierce flames and smoke could also be seen coming from the corner unit on a neighbour’s security camera.
All six students managed to get out safely.
Fire crews arrived at the Linden Drive complex around 4 a.m. and managed to stop the flames from spreading to neighbouring units.
No injuries were reported.
Officials are still looking into the cause of the fire but believe the flames started underneath the outdoor balcony.
Damage to the roof is extensive. Cambridge Fire said an engineer will need to assess the integrity of the home before anyone can move back in. That, they added, could take several months.
Residents of the home could be displaced for a few months. (Chris Thomson/CTV Kitchener)
The six students and a friend, who was at the townhouse at the time of the fire, are staying in a hotel for the next three days. After that, they’ll have to find somewhere else to stay. The Red Cross confirmed they’re providing emergency accommodations, food and clothing.
Constoga College and Conestoga Students Inc. shared the following statement with CTV News: "Conestoga's CARE team - a multi-discliplinary group that receives referrals about students needing elevated levels of support - is coordinating supports for the students, including further accommodations, financial assistance and food security as well as any academic supports needed. The team will work in collaboration with Conestoga Students Inc., the college's student association, which is able to provide emergency funding support through the Emergency Support Bursary, and food support through the Student Nutrition Access Program."
Fire crews are pictured at a home on Linden Drive in Cambridge on March 25, 2024. (Chris Thomson/CTV Kitchener)
CTV News reached out to the landlord but did not receive a response by our deadline.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.