The fire damage at 99 McNaughton Avenue (courtesy: x/ckfiredept)
Chatham

UPDATE: Residents displaced after fire in Chatham-Kent

A residential fire on McNaughton Ave West in Chatham closed the street from St. Clair to Sheldon Avenue.

According to Chatham-Kent Fire, they responded to a call at 99 McNaughton Avenue West Sunday morning at 5:54 a.m. for a structure fire.

The building was evacuated and numerous tenants have been displaced. Some residents suffered minor smoke inhalation and were treated on site, but no other injuries were reported.

Resident at the unit, Robert Francis said it could be anywhere from three days to three weeks before residents can return home.

"Right from the front of the building to the back of the building, all 120 units have to be displaced. We're at Emmanuel Baptist Church, they've opened up the church for patrons there," he said.

Francis said at around 6 a.m. he was awoken by the fire alarms.

"We just had them checked by Chatham's finest and we're good to go and that saved many many lives," he said.

"I'm just glad to be talking to somebody and have my feet and breath in my lungs right now," Francis said. "It was a scary situation for all of us."

According to Francis, the building is a community and they all rallied together, knocking on doors to make sure everyone got out safely.

The fire as seen from the McFarlane Avenue apartment complex around 6 a.m. (photo courtesy: Jessica Turner) The fire as seen from the McFarlane Avenue apartment complex around 6 a.m. (photo courtesy: Jessica Turner)

Crews were on the scene with both a CK Fire Investigator and the Office of the Fire Marshal.

Francis said that staff at the church have been helping those find hotel and motel rooms for tenants to stay, even as far as Wallaceburg.

"(Staff) said even if they get people to accommodation's they will get people to and from Wallaceburg to Chatham," he said.

There is no word on the cause of the fire or the cost of damage.

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