November 30, 2005

By Daniel Mark Wheaton

A fire damaged a couch and the area around a window in a downtown Charlottetown apartment at about 8:30 a.m. on November 28.

Approximately 30 firefighters, using four fire vehicles, responded to the call at 144 Hillsborough Street at 8:34 a.m.

Fire Inspector Randy MacDonald said the quick actions of the apartment’s occupants prevented the fire from spreading.

“The occupants of the apartment were in bed.”

The couple woke when the smoke alarm sounded.

“They got up and found that their couch in the living room was on fire.”

They used a fire extinguisher from the hallway to extinguish the flames before firefighters arrived.

Firefighters then ventilated the building, removed the smouldering couch to the front lawn, and soaked it with water.

MacDonald said Christmas lights may have been the source of ignition, although the investigation was continuing.

There was no water damage to the building, and the fire was contained to the single apartment.

The fire department remained on scene for about 25 minutes.

MacDonald reminded residents to take precautions when decorating for Christmas.

He recommended:

• never leaving Christmas lights on when leaving home,
• turning them off before going to bed,
• checking lights regularly for damaged or frayed wires,
• ensuring the lights carry CSA approval, and
• using outdoor-rated lights only for outdoor decorating.