Peterborough rooming house owner fined for fire code violations

The owner of several Peterborough rooming houses faces $20,000 in fines for failing to meet fire code standards.

In March 2016, Peterborough Fire Services conducted fire safety inspections at the owner’s properties on Royal Drive, King Street and Water Street. The inspections were launched following fire safety complaints.

Peterborough Fire Services says inspection orders were issued in March 2016 outlining various compliance issues with the Ontario Fire Code.

But city fire prevention inspectors say followup inspections over several months revealed that the owner failed to make any progress toward code compliance.

Last Thursday, Sean Paul Cowling appeared in court and was found guilty of two counts of failing to comply with an inspection order under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.

Cowling was fined $10,000 each on two properties and received a suspended sentence for the third property.

“Peterborough Fire Services works with property owners when seeking compliance with the Ontario Fire Code,” stated deputy fire chief Chad Brown.

“We want to ensure all residents of our city are safe from fire and to limit the effects when fire occurs. Most property owners comply with Inspection Orders, however, sometimes we need to seek compliance through the court system.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We want to ensure all residents of our city are safe from fire and to limit the effects when fire occurs. Most property owners comply with Inspection Orders, however, sometimes we need to seek compliance through the court system."

Residents are reminded to ensure they have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and to practise home escape planning. Contact Peterborough Fire Services at 705-745-3284 for code compliance inquiries and fire safety complaints.