BRADFORD, ONT. -- Residents uprooted by a damaging apartment fire in Bradford this week may not be able to get back into their units for weeks.
More than 100 people were forced from their homes when a fire sparked on the fifth floor of a building on Holland Street West Monday afternoon. Flames and smoke trapped several people on their balconies, while others sought shelter until firefighters arrived.
The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury and the Red Cross have put up more than 40 families in Alliston and Newmarket hotels.
Mayor Rob Keffer says they are in the process of interviewing displaced residents to find out what they need to get them through the next few weeks.
Investigators with the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office only gained entry to the building on Thursday, so the mayor says it's too soon to know when it could be a home again.
"Apartments that are most affected by the fire, it could be a long time before those residents get to move back in," Keffer says. "We are hoping that we can open up the bottom floors so that those residents can move back in much sooner. But again, the investigation has to go on before that is completely verified."
Keffer is impressed by the outpouring of support from the community, with offers of food, clothing, furniture and cash.
Displaced residents looking for aid or community members looking to sponsor a family can call 905-775-5366 ext. 0.
Eleven people were taken to the hospital, including four who were listed in critical condition. Their conditions were not immediately available on Thursday.
