Home in downtown Kincardine hit by arson, owner ticketed by fire department

The owner of a home damaged by fire in downtown Kincardine, has been ticketed by the Kincardine Fire Department for failing to maintain smoke alarms and failing to install carbon monoxide alarms in the building.

Jan. 5, firefighters responded to the structure fire on Queen Street in Kincardine. The South Bruce OPP and the Fire Investigations Section of the Office of the Fire Marshall and Emergency Management, investigated the suspicious fire and arrested 21-year-old Kody Tachauer of Kincardine for arson, mischief under $5,000, utter threats, and two counts of breach of probation.
 
Kincardine fire chief Kent Padfield said that in an inspection conducted by the fire department, it was determined that the building lacked properly-maintained smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.

Fire prevention officer Shane Watson said that alerting occupants to ensure their safe evacuation is critical when a fire breaks out. "In 2016, there were 102 fire deaths in Ontario. Many of these were preventable with properly-installed and maintained smoke alarms."

As a result of the fire investigation, the fire prevention division ticketed the owner of the building, under the Provincial Offences Act, for Ontario Fire Code violations, including failure to maintain smoke alarms and failure to install carbon monoxide alarms. A tenant was also ticketed for failing to notify the owner that the smoke alarm was not working.

"Owners, landlords, tenants and homeowners all have responsibilities under the Ontario Fire Code," said Watson. "Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms must be in operating condition or the person responsible can be cited with a $360 fine for each offence."

Section 2.13 of the Ontario Fire Code states smoke alarms must be installed on every storey and near all sleeping areas.

Section 2.16 reads carbon monoxide alarms must be installed adjacent to each sleeping area if your dwelling has a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage.