Update: Four displaced after early morning fire

Editorial note: This article has been updated from its original version and was originally published on Tuesday, Jul. 18, 2023, at 11:43 a.m.. Please see bottom of article for latest updates.

A residential fire closed down a section of Bagot Street as firefighters spent hours battling the blaze, which has displaced one person, according to Kingston Fire & Rescue.

At approximately 3:49 a.m. on Tuesday, Jul. 18, 2023, Kingston Fire & Rescue crews were sent to the 600 block of Bagot Street, near the intersection with James Street, for a reported structure fire. Upon arrival, firefighters were met with thick smoke and active flames, which lit up the upper-floor windows of the house and protruded skyward from the roof.

The intense flames led to hours of firefighting, with Kingston Fire & Rescue employing the use of firefighting foam, which acts as a fire suppressant by cooling and coating surfaces while blocking oxygen, thus preventing further combustion. Smoke filled Kingston’s Inner Harbour neighbourhood, and firefighters, along with Kingston Police, blocked Bagot Street off to traffic between Cataraqui Street and Charles Street.

In response to Kingstonist inquiries, Kingston Fire & Rescue said that no injuries were sustained in the fire, and that one person has been displaced as a result of the incident. The cause of the fire and estimated cost of damages are unknown at this time.

As of 11:15 a.m., Kingston Fire & Rescue remained on scene, with additional supports being brought in to inspect the integrity of the building to avoid potential collapse. It is unknown how long firefighters will remain on scene and how long the section of Bagot Street will remain closed. Kingston Police indicated they are unsure who will be taking the lead on the investigation into the fire at this point, but police are expected to provide updated information in the coming hours.

In response to further inquiries, at 3:40 p.m. Kingston Fire & Rescue confirmed the adjacent property had some damage. They also stated that three people were displaced bringing the total number of displaced persons to four.

Update (Wednesday, Jul. 19, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.):
According to Kingston Fire & Rescue, the on-scene portion of the investigation into the residential fire on Bagot Street that occurred on the morning of Tuesday, Jul. 18, 2023, is now complete.

While the on-scene investigation has concluded, the investigation remains ongoing, the local fire department said in an email to Kingstonist on Wednesday, Jul. 19, 2023. Although the cause of the fire remains undetermined at this time, Kingston Fire & Rescue estimate the cost of damages associated with the fire to be about $500,000.

Anyone with information about the fire incident is asked to contact Kingston Fire & Rescue (613-548-4001).

This update previously stated that anyone with information on the fire should contact Kingston Police, however, Kingston Police are not investigating this fire, and that information was an error on the part of Kingston Fire & Rescue.

This is a developing story. Kingstonist will continue to update this article as more information becomes available.