The investigation into Wednesday night’s fatal fire on Front Street continues.

City fire officials say an 89 year old man was located and removed from the home by fire crews.

Firefighters and paramedics began life-saving efforts with the man immediately taken to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The Ontario Fire Marshal, the North Bay Police Service and North Bay Fire and Emergency Services are investigating.

Police say foul play is not suspected.

They identify the deceased as Leonard Cote.

Fire officials say the home, which was converted to a duplex, had a working smoke alarm, but it was improperly mounted which significantly decreased the effectiveness of the unit alerting the tenant.

As earlier reported, damages were about $250,000.

North Bay Fire and Emergency Services says when mounting a smoke alarm please consider the following guidelines:

  • Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
  • For best performance, an alarm should be mounted on the ceiling in or near the centre of the room, hall or stairway, and at the head of each stairway leading to an occupied area.
  • Optimum location for wall mounts is at least 15 cm (6 inches) from the ceiling but not more than 30 cm (19 inches) from it.
  • Avoid installing where the temperature is less than 5oC (41oF) or exceeds 48oC (119oF).
  • Keep alarms away from doors and windows.
  • Never locate an alarm in front of an air register, fans or vents.
  • Keep alarms at least 60 cm (2 feet) from any corner.
  • Do not recess smoke alarms in walls or ceilings!
  • Smoke alarms in rooms with ceiling slopes greater than 30 cm (one foot) rise per 2.4 m (eight feet) horizontally should be located on the high side of the room.
  • Avoid locating an alarm at the peak of an “A” frame type ceiling.
  • Never paint a smoke alarm.
  • Keep alarms 60 to 90 cm (two to three feet) away from light fixtures.

 

(File photo)