City firefighters quickly put out an early morning fire at Seldon House, in a second-floor sleeping room above the tavern.
Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services responded to reports of heavy smoke coming from a broken second-floor window at 1005 2nd Ave. E., at about 5 a.m. Tuesday, a news release on the city’s website said.
Owen Sound Fire Chief Phil Eagleson said in an interview that firefighters determined this was a “set fire,” but that it is not the subject of further investigation, due to the nature of the person involved.
The building serves as a boarding/lodging and rooming facility which houses 43 people “that need assistance of some sort.” Eagleson said. Seldon House provides a partial, temporary solution to the city’s housing problem, he said.
Ten firefighters who responded encountered residents evacuating the building. Burnt clothing was discovered in a second-floor sleeping room, and the fire was quickly extinguished using a portable fire extinguisher, the release said.
Crews ventilated the building and secured the affected unit. No injuries were reported. The building, home to more than 30 residents, was safely turned back over to management within two hours, the release said.
Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services reminds all residents of the importance of working smoke alarms on every level of the home and in all sleeping areas, and encourages safe handling and disposal of potential fire hazards, the release said.