A 71-year-old man has died and two others are injured after a fire broke out in a fourth-floor unit of a Brampton seniors home early Sunday.
Brampton Fire received a call about a blaze at 6:22 a.m. at McHardy Court Seniors Apartments located at 53 McHardy Place.
The fire was quickly extinguished upon arrival.
The resident of the unit was found by firefighters. He lost vital signs on the way to hospital and succumbed to his injuries.
Peel police have not identified the man, but family friend Jerome Smith describes him as a “good” and “kind” man who did a lot for the people and kids who lived in the area.
Const. Mark Fischer told Global News the building’s 30 residents were fully evacuated and taken to a community centre across the street.
Another resident was also injured after a slip and fall during the evacuation process.
A firefighter suffered a cut to the hand. Both injured parties were taken to hospital for treatment.
Fischer said the first three floors have been reopened, allowing residents to return to their homes.
Residents of the fourth floor have been allowed to enter their units to take care of any necessities but aren’t allowed to stay. They are urged to stay at the centre or with family members.
The Ontario Fire Marshall has been called in.
The cause of the two-alarm fire is not known at this time. An investigation is ongoing.