Tragedies waiting to happen. Serious situations within the town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. Basement apartments lacking adequate fire escapes.
It’s been said that up to 70 per cent of homes are perpetual fire-traps should a blaze occur in lower-level living quarters. These are due to the fact windows are of insufficient size to allow occupants safe departure.
This threat to life has been exposed by Ballantrae’s Ron Renwick following an inferno that, last year, destroyed a house on Legacy Trail in the Ballantrae Golf and Country Club, east of Highway 48. A husband and wife were awakened by a passing motorist. The husband suffered burns to one hand.
“Both are lucky to be alive,” says Renwick. The fire started in an adjoining garage and quickly spread.
“Firefighters from Stouffville did a wonderful job,” Renwick recalls. The brigade from Ballantrae kept flames from spreading to neighbouring homes although two nearby residences suffered roof damage.
To his knowledge, a fire marshal’s report has never been received.
Renwick contends most basement windows, particularly in his area, are too small to permit emergency exits, a problem, he says that could be easily remedied through the purchase of casement kits. But the condo association, he claims, refuses to permit exterior re-construction of any kind.
“They tell me persons can get out,” Renwick states. “I say they can’t.” He says his local councillor agrees with the association. “If he (the councillor) can crawl through any of my basement windows, I’ll pay him $500,” Renwick states firmly. Their lower level is unused.
As matters now stand, the homeowner is permitted to make interior changes, but the outside can’t be altered, Renwick says.
He points out that Scarborough and Mississauga once had similar constraints, but these have since been changed.
“Now, people are no longer trapped. They can get out,” he says. The cost per resident for larger windows would be very little, says Renwick. Installations could be completed by tender. “Not only would it be a much-needed safety measure but also a good investment,” he states.
“We should have that right,” he says.
Whitchurch-Stouffville Deputy Fire Chief Trevor Wawryk admits there are likely many contraventions of the Second Suite Bylaw, but unlike smoke alarms, his staff don’t go looking for infractions. Should any be included in fire reports, action would be taken, he states.
Jennifer Cooper, fire prevention/public education supervisor, describes the following procedures: If a particular house is built prior to 1994, the homeowner is contacted and the house is inspected. If the house is built after 1994, the town’s building department is notified and action ensues.
New location
The Goodwood-Stouffville Christian Women’s Club had its beginning 40 years ago with meetings, the past 14 years at Eastern Gate, Stouffville.
Due to site construction, the organization will move Sept. 11 to East Ridge Missionary Church also in Stouffville. Meeting time is 9:30 a.m.
Link to original article in York Region.com: Basement units lacking fire escapes an issue in Whitchurch-Stouffville