TIMMINS -- Timmins Police Service has a message for people gathered to watch firefighters battle a blaze at a social housing unit: physical distancing rules are in effect and they are violating them.
The main concern for police, said Timmins Police Service spokesperson Marc Depatie, is the large gathering of residents around the scene in contravention of health regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Primarily, we are focused with crowd control and assisting in the investigation into the route cause of the fire,” Depatie said at the scene. “As things move on, we are going to be addressing these groups of more than five from an educational perspective.”
Firefighters, police and paramedics responded to the fire at around 11 a.m. Affected is a multi-unit dwelling near the intersection of Sterling Avenue East and Birch Street South.
Depatie said there was no loss of life, but one person is being treated for smoke inhalation.
Brian Marks, head of the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board, confirmed the board owns the buildings affected by the fire. While he had limited information about the incident, he said all residents inside were evacuated.
There's no word yet from the Timmins Fire Department regarding the cause of the fire or the status of the investigation.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
