London Fatal Fire: 13 Ontario Fire Code Violations

London Fatal Fire: 13 Ontario Fire Code Violations and What Every Landlord Must Fix Now

A fatal fire at 745 Dundas Street in London, Ontario is raising hard questions about fire code compliance in older rental buildings. On July 17, 2026, fire broke out in the 13-unit residential building, killing a 29-year-old woman and critically injuring two other people. Inspection records obtained by CTV News show the building was cited for 13 Ontario Fire Code violations since the start of 2025.

The building's Toronto-based owner says every deficiency was fixed before the fire. The London Fire Department has declined to comment while a related matter is before the courts.

The Fire Code Violations Found at 745 Dundas Street

According to the inspection orders reported by CTV News, a February 5, 2025 inspection found 10 deficiencies, including:

Fire alarm not in operating condition
Emergency lighting units that failed when tested
No carbon monoxide alarm in the service room
Multiple holes in fire separations
Missing or broken self-closing devices on doors
Two portable fire extinguishers missing
Extinguishers not inspected monthly or serviced by a qualified technician since 2022
Smoke alarms in two units needing batteries

A follow-up inspection on February 26, 2026 found more problems: no fire watch while the fire alarm was out of service, and no fire safety plan in the fire safety plan box. The order also noted a silenced fire alarm panel showing a trouble signal and missing heat detectors throughout the building.

Why Missing and Unserviced Extinguishers Matter

A portable fire extinguisher is the only tool a resident has to stop a small fire before it becomes a deadly one. When extinguishers are missing, empty, or years past service, that first line of defence is gone. In multi-unit buildings, the Ontario Fire Code requires portable extinguishers to be installed, kept accessible, inspected monthly, and maintained by a qualified technician. Every missed inspection is a risk to tenants and a liability for the owner.

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Ontario Landlord Fire Safety Checklist

Extinguishers: installed where required, fully charged, tagged, and inspected every month
Annual service: maintenance by a qualified fire protection technician, with records kept
Fire alarm: never left silenced or in trouble. If it is out of service, a fire watch is required until it is repaired
Emergency lighting: tested and working
Smoke and CO alarms: present, powered, and tested in every unit and service room
Fire separations and self-closing doors: sealed and working to stop fire and smoke spread
Fire safety plan: approved and stored in the fire safety plan box

PASS Method: Pull the pin, Aim low, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side.

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Source: https://www.ctvnews.ca/london/article/exclusive-owner-claims-building-with-13-fire-code-violations-since-early-2025-was-safe-prior-to-fatal-fire/

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