Officials are still trying to determine what exactly caused a fire on the weekend at Trillium Manor, how much it will cost to repair and who will be on the hook.
The Orillia Fire Department responded to the Grace Avenue long-term care home, operated by the County of Simcoe, just before 3 a.m. Saturday.
Fire Chief Brent Thomas said “a small fire in the roof boards was discovered” and it appeared the fire, a result of roof work, had been smouldering “over a considerable amount of time, generating smoke that was then pulled through the ventilation system inside the building.”
Trillium Manor administrator Tanya deVries-Porter said it’s not known how long the fire had been smouldering, but noted the company doing the roof work had left the facility late Friday afternoon.
She also couldn’t say who would be paying for the repairs.
“At this point in time, events are under investigation, so determination has not been made,” she said, adding a damage cost estimate is also not available.
Also unknown is when the repairs will take place.
About 52 residents were evacuated early Saturday morning, and deVries-Porter praised first responders and county emergency services for their efforts, as well as Trillium Manor staff for ensuring the home’s fire safety plan was followed.
“I’m extremely proud of the quick response and action of the staff here to make sure the residents were safe,” she said.
— With files from Dave Dawson
