Cause and origin of fatal fire determined

The cause and origin of Thursday’s fatal fire in North Bay has been identified.
Fire Prevention Captain Randy Vezina says “The office of the Fire Marshall has confirmed that the fire originated on a domestic stove top at the 2nd floor and the cause of the fire is unattended cooking.”

“Damages are up from $100,000 to $200,000,” Vezina says.
A half dozen people have been displaced by the fire.

Vezina says they’re being assisted by Victim Crisis Assistance and Referral Service or VCARS

“The place is uninhabitable and it’s going to remain that way until there’s extensive overhaul of the building.”

Crews were dispatched to the fire in the multi-residential, two-and-a-half storey building just after 3:30 am Thursday.
Officials earlier reported crews found one person hanging out of a window and two others on the roof, when they arrived on scene.
After they were rescued, a fourth person was located inside without any vital signs.
Fire Chief Jason Whiteley reported Thursday that the building did have working smoke alarms, which alerted the tenants to the fire.