One dead, one hospitalized after fire at Cape Breton seniors’ complex
One person has died and another person was taken to hospital after a weekend fire in Cape Breton.
Matt Hawley, chief of the New Waterford Fire Department, says the fire broke out at a seniors’ complex in the community early Sunday morning.
The name of the person who died has not been released, but CTV News has learned they were a woman in their 60s.
The person who was taken to hospital has “serious burns.”
According to Hawley, the fire is believed to have started in the kitchen of the complex.
On Monday, police tape and a boarded-up window were the only indicators from the outside that there was a fire in the complex over the weekend.
“That's pretty crazy,” says New Waterford resident Mathew Mark. “It's a small town and you don't really hear of a lot of that stuff around here, so it's a big shock for sure.
The area’s MLA, Kendra Coombes, says 15 to 20 tenants have been displaced because of the fire and are currently staying at a hotel, or with family members.
“A community member dying is always sad, but to lose their life in such a way.. my thoughts are with their family and tenants who knew this person,” she says.
The fire marshal’s office has released the scene back to Cape Breton Island Housing Authority, which owns the building.
“It means that, thankfully, they be able to have a place to continue to live, with the housing crisis were in and the lack of housing,” says Coombes.
Cape Breton Regional Police says, at this time, there is no evidence to suggest any foul play, or suspicion, connected to the fire.
The woman’s body has been sent to medical examiner’s office for autopsy to determine cause of death.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.