INGERSOLL - Ingersoll resident, Ryan Landon, 22, is in critical condition in a London hospital suffering from serious burns after a fire broke out in his basement apartment early Saturday morning.
His roommate Jason Kurtz, also 22, was treated for smoke inhalation at Alexandra Hospital in Ingersoll.
A visitor, Ted Walker, 51, of South-West Oxford Township, who helped rescue Landon from the apartment, was also treated for smoke inhalation.
Fire broke out around 6:45 a.m., in a basement apartment located at 285 Thames St. N., which housed 47 units and 61 tenants.
Ingersoll firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze that drew a fire crew of 22.
According to Oxford OPP Const. Dennis Harwood, Walker was on his way to the apartment complex when he was informed of the fire by the tenants through a cellphone call.
Noting smoke in the basement upon arrival, Walker entered the building and went towards the basement where he found Kurtz climbing the stairs from the apartment.
Kurtz and Walker rescued Landon, who had collapsed just inside the apartment door. With aid from another tenant, Ryan Furnandiz,, 22, the three men were able to transport Landon up a flight of stairs to safety.
Tenants were initially evacuated, a number to the Ingersoll Youth Fusion Centre, but were returned to their homes by 9:20 a.m.
One tenant, located in another basement apartment, has been relocated, according to Tanya Staddon, property administrator.
Fire investigator, Mike Owens, from the Office of the Fire Marshal, estimated damage at approximately $50,000.
Fire investigators spent Saturday and Sunday investigating the cause of the blaze, which has yet to be determined.
Owens said he did not suspect any suspicious activity.
Owens said early reports indicated that a smoke alarm had not been activated.
“Whether it was functioning or disabled, we don’t know,” he said.
The fire alarm for the apartment complex was pulled, he said.
“To the best of our knowledge, all the units had working smoke alarms which had been tested recently, “ Staddon said.
Staddon offered her condolences to the victims of the fire.
“We hope they’ll be fine,” she said.