Two officers and a resident were treated for smoke inhalation. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

quick thinking

RCMP evacuate apartment complex after pot forgot on stove

Jun 12, 2019 | 11:24 AM

It was a close call for residents of a six-unit apartment complex in Deschambault Lake.

On the afternoon of April 7, 2019, two members of the Deschambault Lake RCMP were on patrol and spotted heavy smoke coming from the building. As officers approached the multiplex housing unit, three children came out of the residence telling officers the thick smoke was from a pot left on the stove. There were residents still inside their apartments.

“It (smoke) had just started in the basement unit, and as we were driving by, it seemed more than usual,” Sgt. Johann Josephson who arrived on the scene with another officer, said. “Sometimes you see the odd woodstove heating up or steam coming out of the house, but this just seemed a lot heavier and thicker coming out the front door.”

The two officers then began evacuating residents from the building, as well as opening windows and doors to clear the smoke out. As they did so, a resident of the complex located the pot and removed it from the unit. Josephson said it appeared someone had been cooking with the pot and forgot about it, adding it could have been bad if the pot hadn’t been located and taken out.

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“It was pretty heavy smoke, and we were running around trying to get everyone out,” he said. “We breathed in a little bit too much and the clinic staff were helpful at getting us back at work pretty quick.”

Due to the officer’s quick response, only one resident required medical attention. Everyone was treated and released.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno