CORKERY – Serious injuries were avoided when a family home’s deck caught fire at a Corkery home this morning (June 20).

Around 3:30 a.m. this morning, the Corkery volunteer firefighters of Ottawa Fire Station 84 got the call for a working fire on Corkery Road, just beside St. Michael’s School Corkery.

“At 3:28 Ottawa fire dispatch received a 911 call from an individual at 1560 Corkery Rd reporting that his house was on fire,” OFS public information officer Carson Tharris released in a statement today. “This address is a two-storey single family dwelling. The first crew arrived at 3:43 a.m. and found smoke visible from the basement. A working fire was declared at 3:44 a.m. Crews found the front deck was on fire and smoke from the deck had entered the house.”

A full search of the structure was completed and an all clear was called at 4:02 a.m.

“The only resident required medical attention for a minor injury and was not transported to hospital,” Tharris said. “The fire was declared under control at 4:05 a.m. A loss stopped was declared at 4:06 a.m. A patient is in the care of the Ottawa Paramedic Service.”

OFS officials say an Ottawa fire investigator will not be required to attend for this incident.

“We would like to thank the following agencies who collaborated with us to manage this incident: the Ottawa Paramedic Service, Enbridge, Hydro One and the Ottawa Police Service . Our work together is based on trust, cooperation and a group commitment to service excellence and safety. When the smoke alarm sounds, get out fast. You may only have seconds to escape safely. Evacuate only if it is safe to do so. Take the stairs during an emergency and do not take the elevator.”

Be safe when OFS crews are operating in your area. The best practice is to remain off the roads and at a safe distance from the fire scene or in your home. Call 911 from a safe place and stay on the line until advised to hang up by the dispatchers.

“If you can safely evacuate please close all doors behind you to prevent the spread of smoke and fire,” Tharris said. “Oxygen fuels fires so closing doors can help stop its growth. Also, closed doors offer additional protection from smoke or heat damage. If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re baking.”