Fire crews from Whitby, Oshawa and Ajax responded to a fire at Fairview Lodge that started Monday morning.
Thick smoke and high flames filled the skies at the corner of Cochrane St. and Dundas St. in Whitby this morning.
Dave Selby, director of corporate communications for Durham Region Police Service (DRPS), confirmed that the building on fire is Fairview Lodge, the Durham Region-owned retirement home. He said all 192 residents have been evacuated.
DRPS is assisting Whitby Fire and Emergency Services crews who are on the scene. No injuries have been reported.
Students from nearby E. A. Fairman Public School have been taken to Donald A. Wilson Secondary School. According to the Town of Whitby’s, the polling station that was supposed to be at E. A. Fairman today has been closed. Voters are encouraged to go to alternate stations. The closest polling station is the Centennial Building at 416 Centre Street South or Julie Payette Public School at 300 Garden Street.
Cochrane St. is closed between Walnut St. and Dundas St. DRPS ask that residents and motorists avoid that area.
Fairview Lodge currently has two buildings on its property. In the front, closest to Dundas St., is a new building, which is still under construction. North of that, behind the new building, is the current facility where residents live.
The fire is in the building where the residents live. Fire crews from Oshawa and Ajax have been called in to help fight the fire.
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