Evacuated residents cleared to return home after massive fire in Belleville, Ont.
Residents who were forced to evacuate after a massive fire sent smoke pluming into the sky high above Belleville, Ont. Sunday night have been cleared to return home, officials say.
The City of Belleville said in a news release published Monday afternoon that Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks had completed its assessment of the ash debris in the area and there is no danger to residents.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“Those who were evacuated may return to their homes and we suggest checking smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as they may have been activated during the night,” the news release read.
Images from the scene of the fire, at Haig Road and Station Street, show a number of emergency vehicles responding to the blaze that left debris scattered over several nearby residential blocks.
A fire in Belleville, Ont. on Sunday Oct. 2, 2022 is seen in this image. (Source: Quinte Dispatch)
According to local media, the fire broke out just before 11 p.m. on Sunday and reached heights of up to 40 feet.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and it’s unclear if the fire resulted in any injuries.
CTV News Toronto has contacted Belleville Fire for more information.
Earlier in the day, residents were asked not to attempt clearing the ashes until the contents of the debris were tested.
Now that the assessment is complete, the city said crews have started cleaning affected areas. Residents have also been given the go ahead to dispose of debris on their property and are encouraged to wear gloves while doing so.
Area resident Darryl Ashley shared images of the fire’s aftermath on social media, which show thick chunks of debris covering nearby homes and at least one school.
The debris from a fire in Belleville, Ont. is seen in this image on Monday Oct. 3, 2022. (Source: Darryl Ashley)
The Belleville father told CTV News Toronto his daughter’s school was near the fire and that he surveyed the area on Monday morning.
“We have decided to keep her home until it is cleaned up and the air quality improves,” he said.
Ashley said bystanders told him the fire started near a lot at the north end of Haig Road which he said had housed large plastic-covered drums “for weeks.”
“I didn't want to get too close because of the stench and the toxins being released,” he said in an email.
Of the 150 homes that were evacuated, the City of Belleville said several residents were relocated to the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'
Bayer announced Thursday it is recalling two lots of its hydraSense Baby Nasal Care Easydose due to a potential contamination.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.