Kingston Fire and Rescue report $15k in damages after fire on narrow downtown roadway

Tori Stafford
Fire hoses wrap around the Kingston Fire and Rescue pumper truck, which was clearly just able to make it down the narrow roadway that is Primrose Way in the Skeleton Park (McBurney Park) neighbourhood on the night of Sunday, Mar. 19, 2023. Photo by Kingstonist.

A bedroom fire at a residence on one of the most unique streets in Kingston led local firefighters to a challenge the likes of which are rare.

Tucked away in the Skeleton Park neighbourhood, Primrose Way seems more like a ginnel or an alleyway than it does a municipally-maintained street, but such is the development of residential neighbourhoods in the historic Inner Harbour area of Kingston. Running between Raglan Road and John Street, Primrose Way is officially home to only two addresses.

The location of Primrose Way in the downtown Kingston area. Graphic via Google Maps.

At approximately 10 p.m. on Sunday, Mar. 19, 2023, a fire broke out at one of those addresses. The narrow nature of Primrose Way made attacking the active fire one of two challenges crews with Kingston Fire and Rescue faced at the scene. The other challenge was getting trucks – and water – to the site of the fire. However, local firefighters were able to rise to the occasion, backing a pumper truck down the tiny roadway to the address.

Thankfully, quick-thinking residents at the address had helped ensure the situation didn’t become more difficult than it already was, Kingston Fire and Rescue explained.

“An occupant heard a loud noise, went to investigate, and discovered the fire,” the local fire department said in response to Kingstonist inquiries.

“The occupant closed the bedroom door, significantly reducing the fire spread and damages, then called 911 from outside the home.”

With fire trucks lining Barrie Street, Raglan Road, and John Street, along with the pumper truck that squeezed into Primrose Way, firefighters were able to “quickly bring the fire under control,” though they remained on scene for nearly two hours, monitoring for hot spots and ventilating the house.

Fire trucks on Raglan Road and Barrie Street (looking east on Raglan).
The very tight fit for a pumper truck on Primrose Way.
Looking up Primrose Way from John Street, smoke is evident as water rolls down the narrow street that runs behind most of the properties it abuts.
Firefighters speak in the constricted laneway as ventilation of the home where the fire occurred takes place.
All photos by Kingstonist.

According to Kingston Fire and Rescue, the fire originated in a bedroom “in the immediate area of a radiant heater,” and resulted in approximately $15,000 worth of damages.

“Kingston Fire and Rescue reminds all residents to ensure your civic address is visible from the road in order that emergency services can locate you quickly in an emergency,” the local fire department said.

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