Residents displaced after tree crashes through roof in downtown Kingston
Photo by Lucas Mulder/The Kingstonist.
During the the evening on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, Kingston Fire and Rescue (KFR) responded to a call in downtown Kingston where a large tree limb had fallen onto the roof of a home on William Street.
Shortly after 8 p.m., KFR crews arrived on the scene, and William Street was closed between Wellington and King Streets while emergency crews assessed the damage. Utilities Kingston crews also attended the scene.
In response to Kingstonist inquiries, KFR stated that the damage was confined to the roof and interior of the home, and a monetary estimate of the damage is not yet known.
“The occupants [of the home] were assisted, and alternative shelter was arranged by the occupants until further assessments and restoration could be undertaken,” KFR said in an email to Kingstonist.
Despite significant damage to the home, thankfully, there were no injuries. The tree from which the substantial limb fell stands on private property.
William Street, located in the Sydenham District, is known for its historic and heritage value, with many of the homes in the area built in the mid- to late-1800s. As such, the area is rich with old-growth trees. William Street is also known for having a fair amount of student housing, with part of the street located within Kingston’s University District, due to close proximity to Queen’s University.
According to Environment Canada, winds reached peak speeds at approximately 6 p.m. on the night of Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, with wind gusts reaching 31 km/h. KFR did not say whether wind played a role in the toppling of the tree limb.