Six people displaced after basement fire in Lowertown during heat wave
Firefighters battled a blaze in the 400 block of George Street in 30 C heat, discovering heavy smoke and flames at the basement stairs.
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Six people are without homes after a basement fire tore through a multi-unit residence in Lowertown on Wednesday afternoon.
Firefighters were called to the 400 block of George Street around 4:09 p.m. after a passerby spotted smoke coming from the back of the building. When crews arrived, heavy smoke was pouring from the basement door—so thick it was hard to see when they brought the hose line inside.
They found flames at the bottom of the stairs. After dousing the fire, firefighters had to search the walls and ceiling for hot spots, which they did find and extinguished.
A cat was discovered inside and given oxygen before being reunited with its owner. The whole building was searched and confirmed empty of people. By 4:55 p.m., the fire was declared under control, though a fire watch team remained on site to watch for flare-ups.
The intense heat—temperatures peaked near 30 C on Tuesday with humidity pushing the feel-like temperature higher—made fighting the fire more difficult for crews.
The facts
How many people were displaced by the fire?
Six people lost their homes in the basement fire at the multi-unit residence on George Street.
When was the fire reported?
Firefighters were called to the 400 block of George Street around 4:09 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, after a passerby spotted smoke from the back of the building.
What was found during the firefighting effort?
Heavy smoke poured from the basement door, and flames were discovered at the bottom of the stairs. After the fire was extinguished, firefighters found and put out hot spots in the walls and ceiling. A cat was also discovered inside and given oxygen before being returned to its owner.
When was the fire declared under control?
The fire was declared under control by 4:55 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, though a fire watch team remained on site to monitor for flare-ups.
