'Nothing but the clothes on their back': Fire forces out residents of Sarnia retirement complex
CTV
Sarnia police say all residents are safe and accounted for a fire late Sunday night at Fairwinds Lodge Retirement Home. Emergency services were called to the scene on Michigan Avenue shortly after 11 p.m. on Sunday.
Residents of a Sarnia retirement complex are surveying the damage after a late night fire Sunday into Monday.
On Monday morning family members came to the home to see if they could collect any items left behind. Many are left with nothing but the clothes on their back.
Pat Lapore told CTV News that his 91-year-old mother-in-law has only lived in the home for three months.
“They called us at 2:30 in the morning,” he said. “She doesn’t move very well, it’s rough but we were able to pick her up.”
Lilianne Frankoski, a resident for the last year and a half said it was “a scary experience,” adding, “I was up reading. When we saw all the flames we knew we had to get out,” she said.
Emergency services were called to the scene on Michigan Avenue shortly after 11 p.m. on Sunday.
By 1:30 a.m., police say the blaze was under control and Sarnia Transit buses were used to help take residents to a temporary shelter provided by Lambton College.
