The two occupants of 4 South St. W. were hospitalized after a fire in their Elmira house this weekend. The blaze, which began at 12:48 a.m. on July 7, spread from the back of the house while the two occupants attempted to stop it.
Martin confirms that the blaze was the result of a lit cigarette. “It would have been careless smoking,” he said. “They had a smoking area in the back room, but we’re not sure what all transpired back there.”
Damage assessment has been completed, with the estimated total being $100,000 ($75,000 in property damage, $25,000 to contents). The occupants were treated for smoke inhalation symptoms, and will be living with family until repairs are finished.
An investigation has shown that the house had working smoke detectors. In a statement released July 8, Mayor Todd Cowan urged Woolwich residents to “have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in their homes and to not attempt to fight fires in your home unless you have been properly trained.”
