Woman, 86, in critical condition after Conestogo fire
CBC News | Posted: April 8, 2016 8:31 PM | Last Updated: April 8, 2016
Ontario Fire Marshal determined fire caused by careless smoking
An elderly woman is in critical condition after surviving a house fire that officials say was caused by careless smoking.
Woolwich firefighters were called to a house on Country Squire Road in Conestogo at 4:50 p.m. Thursday.
Fire Chief Rick Pederson told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo that when firefighters arrived, the neighbours were trying to enter the home through the front door, and smoke was pouring out of the opening.
"There was smoke and flames visible when we got there," he said, "and it was indicated just before we arrived that someone was inside."
Careless smoking
Firefighters entered the home and quickly extinguished the fire, which was in the living room. Pederson said the Ontario Fire Marshal determined that the fire was caused by careless smoking.
The firefighters then searched the house and found an 86-year-old woman in a bedroom, unconscious on the floor.
"Three firefighters pulled her out," he said. "EMS came over and revived her and took her to Grand River Hospital."
The woman was later transferred to a hospital in Hamilton. Pederson did not know whether she had been released.
One volunteer firefighter was also sent to hospital following the blaze as a precaution, but was released late Thursday night.