Woman dies following fatal apartment fire in Bradford: police

A 72-year-old woman has died following a fatal apartment fire in Bradford that took place Tuesday evening, police say.

At about 8:15 p.m., South Simcoe police officers, Bradford West Gwillimbury Fire and Emergency Services, and Simcoe County paramedics responded to a fire at a ground-floor apartment on Centre Street.

A woman found inside was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, police say, and was subsequently taken to a Toronto trauma centre where she died as a result of her injuries.

Before fire crews arrived on scene, passersby noticed the flames, opened the apartment’s patio doors and attempted to extinguish the blaze with what appeared to be a garden hose, according to Bradford West Gwillimbury’s deputy fire chief Olaf Lamerz.

“They did note that there was still somebody in the apartment, and they did try to reach out to the individual to help them out, but they weren’t able to get her,” Lamerz told Global News.

Police say they’ve spoken to one of the passersby and are looking to identify the second one who came to help before fire crews arrived.

The second passerby is described to be in his 40s, wearing an orange construction vest and driving a pickup truck.

“We do know that we received eight or more calls regarding the fire,” Lamerz said. “The fire was contained to the room of origin. There was heavy smoke damage to the apartment.”

According to Lamerz, the cost of damages is estimated to be between $100,000 and $150,000.

“We did remain on scene for a while just to deal with any of the smoke issues and making sure the apartment was safe,” Lamerz said, adding crews were there investigating until about 3 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Lamerz said tenants were able to get back in their apartments by about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday after the building was evacuated.

An investigator with the Office of the Fire Marshal attended the scene to assist with the investigation, police say.

According to officers, the fire does not appear to be suspicious.

Police say the name of the deceased victim isn’t being released.

The investigation is ongoing.