The quick action of staff at Trillium Manor and a fast response from the Orillia Fire Department helped prevent a disaster at the long-term care home earlier today.
At 2:51 a.m. this morning, Orillia Fire received a 911 call about the smell of smoke inside Trillium Manor, a long-term care home operated by the County of Simcoe on Grace Avenue in Orillia's north ward.
"On arrival, a small fire in the roof boards was discovered," said Orillia Fire Chief Brent Thomas.
He said it appears a smouldering fire resulting from some roof work had developed "over a considerable amount of time, generating smoke that was then pulled through the ventilation system inside the building."
Orillia fire crews were quickly able to extinguish the fire. And because of that, "the integrity of the roof and building was able to be maintained," Thomas told OrilliaMatters.
We need to know that emergency preparedness pays off in preventing disaster. Hats off" to Trillium Manor staff, @OrilliaFire, @simcoecounty paramedics, Long Term Care managers+all emergency control staff! Great readiness+reaction keeping all safe during the night!@cityoforillia
— Steve Clarke (@Clarke4Orillia) August 15, 2020
As a result, all residents were able to return to their rooms by 6 a.m. this morning. There were two resident rooms in the immediate vicinity of the fire.
Thomas said "the quick activation of the fire safety plan by Trillium staff" allowed them to safely evacuate the residents to other parts of the building while the smoke was cleared "for everyone's health and safety."
The fire chief said "quick and efficient work by Trillium Manor, Orillia Fire, County of Simcoe Paramedics and emergency management staff contributed to a very positive outcome from a potentially serious situation."
Thomas said that outcome did not happen by chance, but thanks to vital pre-planning and forethought.
"Proper fire safety plans, education, training and emergency preparedness before an event happens serve us well to work as an efficient team to reduce threat to life safety and property conservation," said Thomas.
Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke praised the efforts of everyone involved.
"All did a great job preventing a disaster," said Clarke. "This was an extremely positive outcome given the situation."
Thomas said it was too early to give an estimated cost of the damages.
