A monumental week for Windsor firefighters

Local firefighters had their hands full this week when three major fires broke out, but the community joined together Sunday to show their gratitude.

Windsor’s new waterfront memorial honours local firefighters

Over 100 people gathered on Sunday morning to witness an emotional unveiling of the new firefighter memorial along Riverside Drive East. The bronze and midnight granite statue has been 20 years in the making and was installed earlier this week at the foot of Glengarry Avenue, overlooking the Detroit River.

The monument pays tribute to past and future sacrifices made by local firefighters and will eventually have the names of 32 people who lost their lives trying to save others.

The already subdued day took an abrupt turn of events when two separate fires broke out: one in the Walkerville neighbourhood and one on Louis Avenue.

$1M up in flames at historic Walkerville church 

An ordinary Sunday-after-service pot luck lunch turned into in a massive fire evacuation at the 107-year-old Walkerville Evangelical Baptist Church in Windsor. Around 1 p.m. Sunday, fire crews were called to the 800 block of Windermere Road where a second alarm fire broke out on the upper level of the three-story church. Heavy smoke filled the area and around 4 p.m. the roof collapsed.

According to Windsor Fire, “everyone exited the church safely,” but at the time advised that local residents keep their windows closed and furnaces off. Houses between the 600-900 blocks lost power, and it was unclear when it would be restored.

Apart from the reported $1 million in damages to the building itself, no one was hurt in the fire. The cause appears to be accidental.

Windermere Rd church fire update, extensive structural damage has prevented conducting a site investigation, appears to be accidental, damage is $1,000,000. *JL

— Windsor Fire (@WindsorFire1) October 28, 2019

Fatal apartment fire marks fifth tragedy in Windsor 

Sunday evening, rescue crews were called to a tragic apartment fire in the 500 block of Louis Avenue. Around 6 p.m., a fire started in a lower unit of the building where one person was pulled from the fire who died as a result of injuries. This marks the fifth fire-related death in Windsor for 2019.

Windsor Fire and Rescue are still investigating the origin and cause of the fire.

Louis Ave fire this afternoon, 1 person was rescued from the apartment has passed away. OFM and WFRS investigators are on scene conducting the origin and cause investigation. *JL

— Windsor Fire (@WindsorFire1) October 28, 2019

Cause of fatal fire on Ouellette Avenue determined

Police say that the man, who died as a result of fire related injuries, in an Ouellette Avenue apartment fire Thursday, was responsible for intentionally setting the fire.

As a result of the man’s passing, no criminal charges are anticipated.

Public News Update: No Criminal Charges in Ouellette Avenue Fatal Fire.https://t.co/dTcB9VNZxA pic.twitter.com/lRI71jViFT

— Windsor Police (@WindsorPolice) October 28, 2019