A pair of landlords face fines; probation and incarceration after a fatal fire in one of their rental properties that claimed the lives of two women.
In March 2024, flames were reported to the Guelph Fire Department at a rental property on Edinburgh Road South in the Royal City.
While two people were rescued from that blaze, one woman was pronounced dead on scene and another victim was reported to have died in hospital.
Calling the fire a “tragic event,” at a press conference held by the Ontario Fire Marshal, the Guelph Fire Department noted that the property in question did not have working smoke alarms.
Providing an update on Thursday morning, the fire department provided more insight into their investigation, and work with the Office of the Fire Marshal, Guelph Police and Legal and Court Services, as they said that “a successful prosecution” had resulted in $37,500 in fines for two landlords, as well as two-year probations for both homeowners.
General Manager of Legal and Court Services, Jennifer Charles, confirmed that one of those homeowners also faces 50 days of consecutive incarceration, a ruling that she said is generally uncommon.
“This result demonstrates dedication to public safety and is an example of fair justice application of sentencing principles,” reads a statement from Charles.
“We hope this decision will serve as public education, showing other property owners the importance of fire prevention and life safety measures and the seriousness of their legal obligations under the Fire Code.”
Throughout their investigation into the blaze, the Guelph Fire Department is said to have inspected “all townhouses” in the complex where the fatal fire happened, finding a number of the units lacking proper fire safety equipment.
“Investigators found seven units either lacked functioning smoke alarms or had them removed, four units did not have carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, and 14 units were unoccupied, or nobody answered.”
“This incident sends a clear message to every landlord and property owner in Ontario: you are legally responsible for ensuring that there are working smoke alarms on every storey of your properties, and outside all sleeping areas,” reads a statement from John McBeth, acting fire marshal. “When landlords and property owners fail to meet these obligations, they are not only breaking the law, they are also putting lives at risk.”
“No family should have to endure a tragedy like this.”
You can read more about recent changes to the Ontario Fire Code including requirements for owners and landlords here.