Three Welland properties fined $26,500 collectively for fire code violations
Published September 27, 2021 at 10:54 am
Three separate Welland properties rang up $26,500 in fines collectively for fire code violations.
On June 24, 2020, the Welland Fire and Emergency Services (WFES) responded to a fire safety complaint call at 255 Prince Charles Drive. Discovering the three-storey structure was a rooming house, they tested the fire alarm system and discovered it wasn’t working.
While the WFES ordered the property owner to immediately fix it, the situation was serious enough that property management was nonetheless charged.
On September 13, 2021, ownership was convicted for failing to maintain a fire alarm system in operating condition, failing to ensure testing and inspection of the fire alarm system and in the end, were fined $6,500 plus court costs.
On August 4, 2020, the WFES went the property at 256 Alberta Street – again responding to a fire safety complaint. Once there, they discovered that the dwelling was being used as a rooming house and provided accommodation within a trailer in the yard.
They found no working smoke or carbon monoxide alarms existed in the entire dwelling or trailer during their inspection and were instantly charged
On September 23, 2021, the property owners were convicted on numerous counts, including failing to maintain smoke alarms in operating condition, failing to install carbon monoxide alarms, failing to replace expired smoke or carbon monoxide alarms, and failing to implement an approved fire safety plan.
In the end, the property owners were fined $10,000 plus court costs.
On March 31, 2021, the WFES were called to the property 792 Townline Tunnel Road by the Niagara Police. Once there, they discovered an illegal marijuana grow operation in the single-family residence. Again, the property owners were instantly charged.
On September 23, 2021, the property owners were convicted for conducting hazardous activities, failing to install carbon monoxide alarms and fined $10,000 plus court costs. As a result, the marijuana grow operation was removed by Police.