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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.