Ontario firefighters warn of higher chance of house fires due to pandemic

TORONTO — Ontario’s firefighters are urging the public to practise fire safety as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, saying there’s been a sharp increase in the number of fires in the province this summer.

The Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association says that with more people at home over the past several months, more Ontarians are cooking at home — significantly increasing the risk of a house fire.

Carmen Santoro, the president of the OPFFA, says the province is on track for nearly 116 fire deaths in 2020 which would be the highest number in more than a decade.

The average number of annual fire fatalities in the 10-year period of 2009 to 2018 was just under 85, according to the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal.

The Canadian Press