Cornwall seniors' home shut down over fire safety violations

A senior's home in Cornwall, Ont., has been shut down over fire safety concerns.

Several fire safety inspectionsat the buildingidentified numerous fire code violations, the City of Cornwall said in a news release Thursday.

Those violations wouldincreasethe risk of injury to occupants in the event of a fire and the Ontario fire marshal's office authorized Cornwall Fire Services to close the property, according to the city.

"That's obviously a very serious decision," said Mayor of Cornwall Justin Towndale. "It's not one that's taken lightly, and it's not one that happens overnight."

Residents of the Care Centre, located at 510 Second St. in Cornwall, are currently seeking alternate accommodations.

About 45 to 50 residents have been displaced by the closure, Cornwall Fire Chief MatthewStephenson told CBC.

"We are working with our housing services, including social workers and housing staff, that are meeting with each and every resident," Stephenson said. "Everybody that needs housing will have housing."

Displaced residents willfillvacancies at manors and retirementhomes acrossthe city and surrounding areas, he said.

Stephenson was not able to provide a timeline for when residents can return to the home, saying it depends on when the building's owner addressesthe necessaryrepairs.