Clarington Fire Chief reminds residents to clear snow from fire hydrants

Following a fire in Newtonville last night, Clarington’s Fire Chief reminds residents to remove any snow accumulated around fire hydrants.

“Fire can quickly grow in size, and seconds count. By making sure all fire hydrants are fully accessible, you are helping our fire crews access the hydrant quickly so they can save your home and property,” said Fire Chief Mariano Perini.

Clarington Emergency and Fire services received a call at 9:14 p.m. about a fire in a residential building under construction in Newtonville. Crews were dispatched quickly, with around 20 firefighters and six trucks on scene. An OPP patrol saw the smoke and called the fire in. Upon arrival, fire crews began an aggressive, offensive attack stopping the fire from spreading. It appears that a gas fireplace may be responsible for the fire, but it’s not clear what happened. Damage is estimated at around $50,000.

“With six fires over the past month, I want to remind residents to be more vigilant. Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Talk with your kids about an emergency escape plan. While the house in Newtonville was unoccupied, fire remains a huge threat. Don’t be complacent; protect your family,” added Perini.