Proactive fire safety enforcement results in more than $50,000 in fines

By actively enforcing the Ontario Fire Code, Welland Fire and Emergency Services (WFES) fire prevention raises community awareness of fire safety. Fire prevention staff recently concluded several prosecutions in Provincial Offences Court related to fire safety inspections in the city, resulting in significant fines.

In 2021, a comprehensive fire safety inspection was conducted at 85 First Avenue. The inspection revealed numerous serious Fire Code deficiencies in the five-storey residential apartment building. An inspection order was issued to the corporate ownership, mandating significant repairs and upgrades to fire and life safety systems in the building. Despite an appeal to the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal, the required work was not completed by the established compliance date. This led to a re-inspection, which found the work remaining in non-compliance. Consequently, a prosecution was initiated against the corporate ownership for failing to comply with an inspection order, pursuant to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA), 1997. In early 2024, the corporate ownership was convicted in Provincial Offences Court and fined $8,500 including court costs, pursuant to the FPPA. WFES is pleased to report that the required remedial work has now been completed at the building.

In July 2022, WFES fire prevention officers attended 23 Welland Street to conduct a fire safety inspection. During the inspection, numerous Fire Code violations were identified, including missing or damaged fire separations and fire-rated doors in the mixed commercial and residential building. As a result of the inspection, an inspection order was issued to the property owner to make the necessary repairs pursuant to the FPPA. Following the compliance date of the inspection order, the fire prevention division attended the property to conduct a re-inspection and found the property remaining non-compliant. As a result of the re-inspection, a prosecution was initiated against the property owner for failing to comply with an inspection order, pursuant to the FPPA.

In May 2024, the property owner was convicted in Provincial Offences Court and fined more than $8,000, including court costs pursuant to the FPPA. WFES continues to work with the property owner as the property is brought to compliance.

In July 2022, WFES fire prevention officers attended 188 Maple Avenue to conduct a fire safety inspection. During the inspection, Fire Code deficiencies were discovered in the building. The two-storey property contains a restaurant/tavern with residential apartments above. As a result of the inspection, an inspection order was issued to the corporate ownership, directing repairs to missing or damaged fire separations. A re-inspection occurred following the compliance date on the inspection order, and fire prevention officers discovered the property remained in non-compliance. As a result of this inspection, a prosecution was initiated against the corporate ownership for failing to comply with an inspection order pursuant to the FPPA.

Corporate directors for the property were also individually charged with the associated Fire Code offences. This is the third prosecution WFES has initiated against this property for Fire Code violations, with the ownership receiving prior convictions and fines. In April 2024, the corporate ownership and directors were convicted and fined more than $18,000 in the Provincial Offences Court pursuant to the FPPA. WFES can now report that the required remedial work has been completed at the building.

In April 2023, fire prevention officers attended the property at 55 McAlpine Avenue to conduct a fire safety inspection. During the inspection, fire prevention officers discovered numerous Fire Code deficiencies in the four (4) storey residential apartment building. As a result of the inspection, an inspection order was issued to the property owner to rectify Fire Code violations, pursuant to the FPPA. Following the compliance date on the inspection order, fire prevention officers attended to conduct a re-inspection and discovered the property remaining in non-compliance. As a result of the re-inspection, a prosecution was initiated against the property owner for failing to comply with an inspection order pursuant to the FPPA. In May 2024, the property owner was convicted and fined in Provincial Offences Court more than $18,000 in fines pursuant to the FPPA. WFES can now report that the required remedial work has been completed at the building.

WFES fire prevention officers diligently inspect properties across the city, enforcing the Ontario Fire Code and providing fire and life safety education. “Our fire prevention officers are committed to reminding residents and visitors to prioritize fire safety where they live and work. It’s important that residents and visitors understand that Fire Code violations will not be tolerated,” said Matt Richardson, Deputy Fire Chief.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Matt Richardson
Deputy Fire Chief and Alternate CEMC
905-735-1700 x2402
matt.richardson@welland.ca