By Stephanie Chavez Jan 16, 2023 at 5:01 am
The Ontario Fire Marshal was called to investigate a large fire late last night at Fairwinds Lodge.
About 75 firefighters from Sarnia Fire and Rescue with additional support from Point Edward, St. Clair Township and Port Huron responded to the fire at the nursing home on Michigan Avenue just after 11 p.m. Sunday.
All 120 residents were evacuated after a room-by-room search of the 113-room facility and transported by Sarnia Transit to a temporary shelter at Lambton College.
(Temporary shelter at Lambton College. Photo courtesy of Sarnia Police Services.)
About half the residents had been relocated with their family by 2 a.m. and the remaining residents were expected to be relocated with family or alternative housing by noon Monday.
Fire officials said the fire started in the north wing of the building.
“I would like to thank our cross-border partners with the Port Huron Fire Department, neighboring fire departments, EMS, police, Sarnia Transit and Lambton College for their quick response and assistance in ensuring that all residents were evacuated, accounted for and sheltered safe,” Fire Chief Brian Van Gaver said in a news release.
Additional details about the fire, including a cause and damage estimate, were not immediately available.
Sarnia Fire Rescue remained on scene Monday and a stretch of Michigan Avenue from Murphy Road to Blue Aire Gate was closed to traffic until about 7:30 a.m.
Individuals concerned about family members staying at Fairwinds Lodge can call the facility’s management company, Sienna Senior Living, at 1-866-959-4848.
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