A blaze in Regina’s east end has sent six people to hospital, underscoring growing concerns about fire safety in residential neighborhoods across the city.
The fire broke out shortly after midnight Tuesday in a two-story home on Rothwell Street, catching residents by surprise as flames spread rapidly through the main floor. Fire crews arrived within minutes to find heavy smoke billowing from the structure.
“Our teams encountered intense heat and zero visibility conditions upon entry,” said Regina Fire Chief Layne Jackson in a morning briefing. “The quick response from our crews was critical in preventing what could have been a much more tragic outcome.”
Among the injured were two children under the age of ten, who were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns. All six victims are now in stable condition at Regina General Hospital, according to the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
This marks the third serious house fire in Regina this month, following incidents in the Cathedral and North Central neighborhoods. The pattern has raised alarms for community advocates like Sarah Thompson of the Regina Housing Network.
“When we see multiple serious fires happening in such a short timespan, it tells us we need to look deeper at our housing conditions and safety practices,” Thompson told me during a community meeting yesterday. “Many families are living in older homes with outdated electrical systems or insufficient smoke detection.”
Initial investigations point to an electrical malfunction in the kitchen area as the potential cause, though fire officials caution that the formal determination remains pending. The home suffered extensive damage estimated at $275,000.
Regina Fire Services reports responding to 127 residential fires so far in 2024, a 12% increase from the same period last year. The uptick reflects a worrying national trend – Statistics Canada data shows residential fire incidents climbing by 8% across prairie provinces since 2022.
Neighbor Donna Kleisinger described the chaotic scene that unfolded just meters from her own home. “I heard screaming and saw the orange glow through my bedroom window. By the time I got outside, people were rushing out the front door and flames were already coming through the windows.”
Kleisinger and other neighbors provided blankets and comfort to the displaced family members while waiting for emergency services.
City Councillor Lori Bresciani, who represents the ward where the fire occurred, visited the scene Tuesday morning. “This hits close to home for many of us. I’ve asked administration to accelerate our community fire safety program that was scheduled for fall rollout.”
That program, which received $850,000 in municipal funding this spring, aims to provide free smoke detector installations and home safety assessments to vulnerable households. However, implementation has faced delays due to procurement challenges.
Saskatchewan Public Safety Minister Paul Merriman expressed concern about the incident but pointed to provincial investments in emergency response training. “We’ve committed $4.2 million toward firefighter training programs across Saskatchewan municipalities this year alone,” Merriman said in a statement to media outlets.
Fire safety experts recommend households check smoke detectors monthly, replace batteries annually, and develop escape plans that include two ways out of every room. The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs estimates that functioning smoke alarms can reduce fire fatalities by nearly 50%.
For the affected family, the community has rallied quickly. A GoFundMe campaign organized by colleagues at the father’s workplace had raised over $7,000 by Tuesday evening to help with immediate expenses.
“We’re seeing the best of Regina in how people are stepping up,” said Pastor Mike Rogers of Eastside Community Church, which is collecting clothing donations. “But we also need to see this as a wake-up call for prevention.”
Regina Fire Services plans to conduct follow-up safety blitzes in the neighborhood this weekend, offering free smoke alarm inspections and fire safety information to residents.
As summer temperatures rise, fire officials warn that increased use of cooling appliances, barbecues, and outdoor fire pits all contribute to seasonal fire risks. Residents are urged to take extra precautions and ensure safety equipment is in working order.
For the six hospitalized individuals, the road to recovery includes not just physical healing but rebuilding their lives from the ashes of what was once home – a stark reminder of how quickly household emergencies can upend lives in our communities.
