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Eight residents and one cat displaced following 'suspicious' Chelmsford fire

The four-unit apartment building suffered upwards of $150,000 in damage

Eight residents and one orange tabby cat have been displaced following what has been described by Greater Sudbury Fire Services as a "suspicious" structure fire on Charette Avenue in Chelmsford late Saturday night.

Representatives of the Chelmsford, Azilda, Dowling and Downtown Sudbury fire stations responded to the call around 10:37 p.m. on Sept. 21, bringing with them a fleet of nine apparatuses. 

Flames were contained to one of the four apartments located inside the apartment building said André Groulx, CGSF platoon chief, although the other three apartments suffered significant smoke damage as a result of the incident. 

The fire was deemed under control around 11:20 p.m.

The total damage is estimated at $150,000.

Due to the suspicious nature of the incident, Greater Sudbury Police and the Ontario Fire Marshall have been called in to assist in determining the cause and origin of the fire.

Assistance by the Red Cross was not necessary in this instance, as all residents had friends or family to stay with while alternative living arrangements are made. A resident's orange tabby cat has been given food, water, and access to an apartment deemed safe for animal occupancy. 

He is currently under the watchful eye of police and is visited by his owners every 30 minutes.

While the fire remains under investigation, Groulx said it's always good to have an escape plan and be ready in case of an emergency.  

Other than that, the best way to protect yourself is by checking your home's smoke alarms on a regular basis. Groulx recommends changing the batteries in your smoke alarm every time you change the clock. 
 


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