Two individuals have tragically lost their lives, and three others have been hospitalized following an early morning blaze at a residential complex in Charlottetown. The status of the hospitalized individuals remains uncertain, according to deputy fire Chief Kent Mitchell. The fire department received reports of the incident around 7 a.m. AT, concerning a two-story apartment building with around 20 units.
Mitchell reported that firefighters managed to extinguish the fire within an hour of their arrival, with some residents needing to be rescued through windows to escape the burning structure. Local roads were shut down for a few hours to facilitate emergency response efforts. Approximately 20 residents have been displaced due to the fire, but the Red Cross is offering support by arranging hotel accommodations for some affected individuals.
The Red Cross stated that they are providing emergency shelter, meals, and clothing for 11 households impacted by the fire. Mitchell emphasized the importance of having functional smoke alarms and evacuation plans in place for fire safety. While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, Mitchell urged the public to prioritize fire safety measures during such incidents.