One person taken to hospital, cat dies in wake of house fire; first time Welland firefighters use drone

A woman was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation and a cat died in a stubborn fire Monday morning on Crowland Avenue in Welland

Acting fire Chief Matt Richardson said the woman, who lived in one of two units at 114 Crowland Ave. , was taken for hospital observation by Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics but her condition was unknown.

Welland Fire and Emergency Services was called just after 9 a.m. to the two-storey home between Cady and Welland streets. Firefighters reported seeing smoke from a distance. Station 1 is just more than a half-kilometre to the northwest.

“On their arrival they identified heavy smoke and fire from some second-floor windows,” Richardson said. “They started an offensive fire attack inside the structure and ensured all occupants were evacuated. A