4 people hospitalized trying to rescue cats in Oro-Medonte, Ont. shelter fire

Several people have been hospitalized with smoke inhalation after rushing into a burning building to save multiple animals at a cat shelter on Shanty Bay Road in Oro-Medonte, Ont.

Officials say a garbage truck caught on fire late Friday morning, spreading to a nearby dumpster and then the building that houses the cat shelter.

"There were several explosions before you knew it the garbage bin was on fire, then the building was on fire, then the glass was being blown out," said Carol Snow, director at Street Cats Rescue.

A dump truck on fire in Oro-Medonte, Ont., on Fri., May 26, 2023. (Courtesy: Michael Chorney/At The Scene Photography)

Several people rushed to help pull the cats from the burning building.

"Two ladies ran in. I followed them to make sure they were okay. We started a line and just started getting cats in cages out of the building," said Michael Chorney.

"There was so much smoke at that point you couldn't see your hand in front of your face," Snow added.

"We got as many cats out as we could, then the panic really set in, not being able to get the cats because the smoke was thickening. It was getting dark in there. It was hard to see, hard to breathe," Chorney said.

Four people, including Chorney and Snow, suffered smoke inhalation.

Officials say 30 of the 56 cats were accounted for, and seven of those have been taken to be treated for smoke inhalation.

The fire has since been extinguished while crews work to douse hot spots.

Firefighters battle a fire on Shanty Bay Road in Oro-Medonte, Ont., on Fri., May 26, 2023. (Courtesy: Linda Campbell)

The building isn't a total loss, the fire chief said. However, it sustained significant damage.

Neighbours have stepped in to offer shelter to some of the now-displaced cats while staff at the shelter figure out their next steps.

"Financially, we're going to be in trouble," Snow said. "Everything in the shelter is going to be smoke damaged. I don't know what the veterinary care is going to be at this point. These cats were in this thick, black smoke. I don't know what the long-term effects of that are going to be."

By late Friday afternoon, the shelter confirmed all the cats had been found.

Anyone interested in donating to help the shelter can reach out to Street Cats Rescue.

With files from CTV's Catalina Gillies

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

One in 14 Canadians left hospitals without receiving care due to long wait times in 2022

The number of Canadians who visit emergency departments across the country only to give up and leave before they receive any care has increased more than fivefold, according to new data collected by CTV News.

Liberal MP sides with Conservatives on failed motion to 'repeal all carbon taxes'

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's latest unsuccessful attempt to call on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to repeal his carbon pricing system has secured the support of one Liberal MP.

Toronto Blue Jays eliminated from playoffs

The Toronto Blue Jays have been eliminated from the MLB playoffs.

Too much Taylor? Travis Kelce says NFL TV coverage is 'overdoing it' with Swift during games

Maybe there's too much Taylor, not enough Travis. Travis Kelce agreed Wednesday with the idea that NFL TV coverage has been "overdoing it" with the amount of times Taylor Swift has been on screen while attending his Kansas City Chiefs' games the last two weeks.

Here's how much it costs to raise children in Canada, according to new statistics

A new report from Statistics Canada estimates how much parents will spend on children over the course of their lifetime.

Kinew pledges to search landfill for remains of First Nations women, but says federal role wasn't part of conversation with PM

Manitoba premier-designate Wab Kinew insists he will keep a commitment to search the Prairie Green landfill for the remains of two First Nations women who are suspected to have been victims of an alleged serial killer.

Canada-India tensions: How we got here and what's at stake

In the past month, Canada has accused the Indian government of being involved in a murder on Canadian soil and India has ordered Canada to remove most of its diplomats from the country. Here's how the two countries got to this point, as well as what's at stake if tensions don't ease.

How tropical storm Philippe will impact the Maritimes on Thanksgiving weekend

The official forecast cone issued for tropical storm Philippe by the U.S. National Hurricane Center shifted significantly to the west on Wednesday.
‘This is an abuse of power’: Saint John councillors say suspensions due to support of striking city employees

Saint John city councillors Joanna Killen and Brent Harris say they’re facing “punishment” for their support of city hall employees on strike.
Cost of groceries puts damper on Thanksgiving

According to Dalhousie University food distribution professor Sylvain Charlebois, this year’s Thanksgiving dinner will be a lot more expensive than last year.

Montreal

Quebec police arrest 4 students after video shows teen repeatedly hit in the face

Police on Montreal's South Shore say four teenagers have been arrested in connection with a video showing a violent attack on a 16-year-old boy near a local high school.
Some Montreal residents can expect steep tax bill increases

Montrealers can expect to see a bump on their next tax bill as many boroughs are raising their local taxes, blaming inflation and the rising costs of contracts.
13 charged after investigation into 'grandparent scam' targeting seniors in the U.S.

A task force headed by Quebec provincial police is targeting a criminal organization specializing in 'grandparent' fraud, preying predominately on elderly people in the United States.

Ottawa

Ontario 'asking questions' about Ottawa clinic charging membership fee, health minister says

Ontario's health minister says the Ontario government and Ministry of Health will shut down any clinic charging for services covered by OHIP, as a clinic in Ottawa's south end is under scrutiny for charging a $400 membership fee to access a nurse practitioner.
Condo sales drop in Ottawa

A report from Re/Max says condominium sales fell in all but two of Canada's seven largest markets compared to last year. The latest numbers from the Ottawa Real Estate Board indicate condo sales are down 16.1 per cent.
Ottawa school bus authority appoints interim operations manager

The organization that oversees school bus service for tens of thousands of students in Ottawa has appointed an interim manager, as the Ontario NDP call on the Ontario government to expedite the approval of medical reports for potential bus drivers to fill the driver shortage in Ottawa.

Toronto

Toronto Blue Jays eliminated from playoffs

The Toronto Blue Jays have been eliminated from the MLB playoffs.
SZA postpones Toronto concert minutes before doors open due to illness

SZA has cancelled her concert in Toronto at the last minute due to illness.
Memo leaked by NDP shows Ontario government knew urban boundary changes were contentious

The Ontario PCs knew they may be blasted about a lack of Indigenous consultation and third-party involvement when they decided to alter the urban boundaries of six municipalities, according to internal documents.

Kitchener

Paris, Ont. family says vehicle stolen using key fob copying technology

A family in Paris, Ont. is without a vehicle after they woke up Tuesday morning to find it was no longer parked in the driveway.
Two people arrested for alleged carjacking at Conestoga Mall

Waterloo regional police say two males have been arrested in connection to an alleged carjacking at Conestoga Mall.
Park users question continued closure of Roos Island

More than five months after the City of Kitchener shut down access to Roos Island in Victoria Park, the area remains closed to the public – and some park users are frustrated.

London

'I am a white nationalist': accused in fatal truck attack in London penned his own manifesto

Nathaniel Veltman, 22, is on trial for four counts of terrorism-motivated first-degree murder and one count of terrorism-motivated attempted murder.
'Don’t foresee large mandatory restrictions': MLHU provides fall preview with increasing COVID cases

COVID cases are on the rise across the province, but the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) is not expecting any restrictions.
73 year old from London dies in single-vehicle crash

A 73-year-old individual from London has died after a single-vehicle crash in Middlesex Centre on Wednesday morning.

Northern Ontario

Historic Manitoulin Island ferry being towed away for recycling

A historic ferry that has been moored on Manitoulin Island for nearly 50 years after being decommissioned in 1974 is being towed away Wednesday to be recycled and there is mixed reaction from residents.
Timmins police investigating fatal parking lot explosion

An explosion that killed one person in a hotel parking lot in Timmins on Tuesday night is under investigation and has displaced several people.
Here's how much it costs to raise children in Canada, according to new statistics

A new report from Statistics Canada estimates how much parents will spend on children over the course of their lifetime.

Windsor

'I am a white nationalist': accused in fatal truck attack in London penned his own manifesto

Nathaniel Veltman, 22, is on trial for four counts of terrorism-motivated first-degree murder and one count of terrorism-motivated attempted murder.
City of Windsor set to expand 311 services

The City of Windsor is set to expand its 311 service to help support residents and businesses who come across issues affected by homelessness.
Boil water advisory lifted for Wheatley area following treatment plant fire

Chatham-Kent Public Health has lifted a boil water advisory that has been in effect for weeks following a fire at the Wheatley water treatment plant.

Calgary

Pedestrian in life-threatening condition after being struck by CTrain near Chinook Station

A pedestrian was struck by a CTrain near Chinook Station on Wednesday evening.
'Bear attack bad': Alberta couple identified as pair killed in grizzly attack

A family member of the couple killed by a grizzly bear in the wilderness of Banff National Park says he knew something was wrong as soon as he received a call with a message from their satellite device.
Lethbridge police investigate alleged sexual assault involving high school football players

Police are investigating an alleged sexual assault involving a 16-year-old student at a Lethbridge high school.

Saskatoon

'I'm sorry': Saskatoon woman seen in FreshCo arrest video apologizes to guard

A Saskatoon woman, whose altercation with a security guard was captured in a widely-shared video, made a tearful apology in court Wednesday morning.
Sask. fatal crash: SUV struck deer before colliding with car

A teen boy was killed in a fatal crash near Onion Lake on Tuesday.
'QAnon queen' supporters allegedly threaten Sask. village leaders with 'executions'

Saskatchewan RCMP say they’re investigating after the Village of Richmound allegedly received letters from supporters of the self-appointed "Queen of Canada" threatening public execution.

Edmonton

Caught on camera: Edmonton restaurant worker robbed at gunpoint

Police in Edmonton asked for help Wednesday to identify a man who robbed a restaurant with a silver handgun six months earlier.
City expects Edmonton homeless population to have 'sufficient shelter' spaces for upcoming winter

An update on shelter spaces for homeless people in Edmonton has left city councillors feeling hopeful that the coming winter will see spots open for each vulnerable person.
Edmonton considering compensating businesses constricted by construction following tight vote

The negative impact on small companies caused by the continued buildout of the West LRT in Edmonton has pushed one city councillor to champion the idea of giving businesses a relief program to deal with multi-year construction projects.

Vancouver

'Well done, Rick. We love you': Fallen B.C. RCMP officer remembered at regimental funeral

Thousands gathered to pay respects to fallen B.C. RCMP Const. Rick O'Brien at a regimental funeral Wednesday, remembering the former teacher for his humour, compassion and dedication to public service.
'We can not continue to just warehouse our seniors in shelters': Growing homeless crisis sees more seniors with nowhere to live

Joseph Doran never imagined he'd retire from a lifetime of working and – at 86 years old – end up in a homeless shelter.
460-room hotel proposed for Vancouver's Granville Street amid hotel-room shortage

A major development proposal could see more than 400 hotel rooms added to Vancouver’s Granville Street entertainment district, as the city faces a hotel-room shortage.

4 people hospitalized trying to rescue cats in Oro-Medonte, Ont. shelter fire

WITH VIDEO | Suspects wanted for pouring gasoline on driveway and damaging cars at Barrie home

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Stay Connected

WITH VIDEO Suspects wanted for pouring gasoline on driveway and damaging cars at Barrie home