Tenants of an apartment building in Angus remain out of their homes on Thursday after a fire a day earlier.
The fire started in one of the basement units at a Curtis Street apartment complex at about 10:30 a.m.Wednesday morning and while contained to a room caused smoke damage throughout the apartment.
Of the about 12 residents in the building at the time of the fire, two were sent to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Firefighters say a smoking mishap may be blamed for starting the fire. Damage is estimated at $250,000.
It was hoped some people would get back into the building on Wednesday night but the air quality remained poor so no one has been allowed back in. There’s a concern about the high level of soot in the building.
The owner is cleaning the whole building but there is no word on how long that will take. Residents did get in on Thursday to get personal belongings.
Fire officials say all the residents are staying with friends, family, or are being taken care of by the building’s owner.
Essa Fire Chief Cynthia Ross Tustin says anyone who smokes in their homes need to remember to put the cigarettes out. She's also reminding residents if they hear a smoke alarm sounding to leave the building and not return until firefighters say it's safe to do so.
