Case
4.5.1
4.5 Fires in Ontario: Case Studies
4.5 Case Studies
4.5.1 Fire #1
Misuse of an extension cord causing injuries and $30,000 damage to property.
A fire in a ground floor, one-bedroom apartment of a ten-storey building seriously injured one person and caused $30,000 in property damage. The fire, which was investigated by the local fire department, police and OFM, was caused by a portable heater, its power cord and the extension cord it was attached to.
In the apartment where the fire originated, some of the damages were:
• charring and smoke stains above the sliding glass doors on the exterior of the unit and the balcony of the apartment directly above
• soot deposits and smoke stains on the enclosing walls and furnishings within the washroom
• charring of cupboards and walls in the kitchen
• charring of furniture in the living room
Two tenants lived in the apartment – one slept in the bedroom and the other slept in the living room. The tenant who slept in the living room had a furnished area with a bed, a space heater and a shelving unit. The space heater was connected to an extension cord which plugged into a wall receptacle at the foot of the bed. This connection was kept in place semi-permanently which is not the intended use for an extension cord.
56 2010 Ontario Electrical Safety Report

4.5 Fires in Ontario: Case Studies
Investigation findings:
• The point of origin of the fire was the location of the portable space heater. No evidence could be found to indicate any other points of origin in the apartment.
• The fuel for the fire was nearby combustibles beginning with the shelving unit, clothes lying close by, the bed and the mattress.
• The ventilation in the room was as a result of the tenant leaving the glass doors open after using them to escape. This provided the necessary oxygen to allow the fire to continue and spread.
• The two sources of ignition from the point of origin were deemed to be the heat produced by the heater and a high resistance fault in the extension cord.
4.5.1.1 Causal Factors
Extension cord used as a part of a permanent application
Combustibles kept within the vicinity of the source of heat
Sliding glass door left open upon escape provided oxygen and ventilation effect
Apartment fire
The investigation found there is a need for the following:
• Extension cords need to be used in accordance with their intended use; for temporary and not permanent applications. In addition, an extension cord needs to be protected so it is not subjected to mechanical damage, which can contribute to a fire.
• Combustibles should not be stored near a source of heat, such as a portable heater.
• When escaping the area of a fire, limit oxygen to the fire by closing all doors and windows after leaving the room.
2010 Ontario Electrical Safety Report 57

Case
4.5.2
4.5 Fires in Ontario: Case Studies
4.5 Case Studies
4.5.2 Fire #2
Extension cords are one of the major sources of ignition in residential fires. By their very nature, they are exposed to mechanical damage and abuse. They are often run through doorways and windows, placed under carpets, stapled along baseboards, and located behind movable beds and appliances where there is ample opportunity for the flexible cord to become abraded and damaged over time, leading to eventual failure, fault, and a source of ignition. This case history is a perfect example of the type of misuse seen every day.
Improper wiring and overfusing causing property damage.
A fire in the basement of an older single-family home resulted in extensive property damage.
The fire originated from a lamp in a small closet under the stairs. An extension cord was fed from a washer receptacle and daisy chained to another extension cord which was run to the lamp in the closet. The local fire department and ESA were involved in the investigation.
Investigation findings:
• The family dwelling was over 60 years old and the electrical wiring had not been updated to meet the electrical demand of the decade.
• The fire’s point of origin was in the closet under the stairs in the basement.
• The lamp and cord appear to be the only sources of ignition in the closet.
• The power cord appeared to have been cut by a sharp object.
58 2010 Ontario Electrical Safety Report

4.5 Fires in Ontario: Case Studies
• The cord extended under an area where ice skates were stored.
• Lack of receptacles (not required by the Electrical Safety Code of the day) in the home led the occupants to improvise lighting in the closet, leading to an unsafe wiring practice.
• The receptacle was fed by a 100A service panel with an overcurrent protection of a 30A fuse, which was above the design rating. The fuse did not appear to be blown.
4.5.2.1 Causal Factors
Aging infrastructure with fewer receptacles
Oversized overcurrent protection
Unprotected electrical wiring
Sharp objects near electrical cords
Improper use of extension cords
Apartment fire
The investigation found there is a need for the following:
• The necessary receptacles and wiring need to be installed to avoid the improper use of extension cords while attempting to reach farther receptacles.
• Proper-sized overcurrent devices for each branch circuit must be installed.
• Electrical wiring needs to be protected from mechanical damage by housing them with rigid material.
• Storing objects with sharp edges, such as skates, in areas near electrical cords should be avoided.
Improper temporary wiring is a major cause of residential fires. Older homes often suffer from the slack requirements of the Electrical Code of the day and home owners, who lack electrical safety knowhow, often improvise unsafe wiring installations. This practice often leaves electrical wiring, including electrical cords, exposed to mechanical damage. Over time, these unprotected cords or wiring become damaged and eventually lead to failure and a source of ignition.
2010 Ontario Electrical Safety Report 59