One dead, around 20 displaced in Niagara Falls apartment fire

A woman has died and multiple others have been displaced after a fire broke out at an apartment complex in Niagara Falls Monday night.

Fire Chief Jo Zambito says about 20 people have been displaced and have received assistance from the Canadian Red Cross in finding alternative accommodation.

The fire happened just before 8 p.m. at the Courtyard Apartments at 4658 Drummond Rd., not far from the QEW and Highway 420.

The fire chief says a woman was sent to hospital after suffering from burns and smoke inhalation. Niagara police later told CHCH News that the woman died of her injuries sustained in the fire.

A fire fighter also suffered from heat exhaustion and was assessed on scene.

“We had one female transported to a local hospital with what is considered grave injuries, we are just waiting for an update” says Const. Jessica Martin with the Niagara Regional Police Service. “She is still alive at this time but it is considered grave injuries.”

The blaze appears to have started in a unit on the second floor of the three-story building. The superintendent of the building, Zoran Ivanovic, says a woman in her 90s lives in the unit with her cat.

A freelancer at the scene during the fire says there was heavy smoke at the back of the building when emergency crews arrived.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Chief Zambito says there is smoke damage throughout the entire second floor.

CHCH News has reached out to the fire chief to see if he can provide any additional details.

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