Clayton Park fire sends woman to hospital

HALIFAX – Halifax firefighters had to rescue a woman this morning, after fire broke out at an apartment building in Clayton Park. She was rushed to hospital with burns.

Residents of 10 Caxton Close in Halifax were forced to evacuate the building around 9:30 this morning because of a fire on the second floor of the 4-story building. When fire crews arrived, they found a 54-year-old woman on the floor of her living room.

“They evacuated her right away,” says Roy Hollett, the Deputy Chief of Halifax Fire Services. He adds, “She was seriously burned and because of the condition, they wanted to transport her to the medics right away. That was the priority – to get her out and get her medical care.”

Residents of the building were concerned for the woman’s well-being. “They brought her down in a wheelchair,” says Alivia Moir. “I didn’t really get a good look at her, but her legs looked like they were a little damaged from the fire.”

Building Superintendent Ron Deveau says “I never thought this would ever happen, but thank God we caught it right away and there was minimal damage, except for the woman that they took out. She had legs burnt.”

Fire Investiagtors arrived about an hour after the fire started and were able to determine the cause of the fire fairly quickly. “Investigative units have tied up the investigation,” says Hollett, “and it’s confirmed as careless use of smoking materials.”

Some residents on the ground floor suffered water damage to their apartments. “On top of the fire damage and the smoke damage, it’s quite common to have water damage to the room area of the fire,” says Hollett, “and if there are floors below, it does happen. Now the crews are pretty careful how much water they use, but it is a common outcome of using water to put out a fire.”

No other injuries were reported.