Residents of the R J Brooks Retirement Centre in Bancroft will not be heading back tonight or tomorrow. This comes after a fire broke out in one of the units on the building’s second floor early this morning.
North Hastings Fire Chief Pat Hoover says the goal is to get those living on the first, third, and fourth floors back into the centre by 4:00pm on Saturday. Those who live in units 201 to 207 won’t be allowed back until Friday, March 23rd. Those living in units 208 to 211 may have to wait until April 3rd. Hoover says everyone will be housed and looked after during this time.
He also says the fire marshal has finished its investigation, but still needs an autopsy to be completed before more information about the cause of the flames can be released. One woman was killed in the fire, and police will not release her identity until her family is contacted. Another person was brought to hospital, but has since been released.
Moose FM will provide more information about this story when it becomes available.
(Written by: Andreas Pandikiu)