A fire on the main floor of a Welland home that caused $80,000 to $100,000 damage Sunday night is under investigation.

Welland Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Chief Adam Eckhart said firefighters didn't hear any smoke alarms going off on when they arrived at 779 Welland St. at 6:40 p.m.

"Our guys were already on the road … they were just clearing a kitchen fire."

Eckhart said when the first crew arrived on Welland Street there were flames visible from the front door of the home which has been converted into two apartment units.

"The crew quickly suppressed the flames from outside and then did a quick search of the main floor. The second crew arrived and did a search of the second floor."

All tenants were out of the building, said Eckhart.

He said fire in the first-floor unit was discovered by its tenant, who went to alert tenants on the second floor and ask them to call emergency services.

Eckhart said the tenant from the main floor was assessed on scene by Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics.

That tenant was later taken into custody by Niagara Regional Police. There were no details on why the person was taken into custody.

Eckhart said the second-floor tenants escaped with a family pet and were not injured.

Firefighters heard working smoke alarms in the top unit and the deputy chief said there was smoke damage, but that crews quickly ventilated the home preventing further loss.

Those tenants were allowed to collect some personal items so they could go to work Monday, said Eckhart, adding they had nearby family giving them a place to stay.

There were 42 career and volunteer firefighters on scene with six trucks during the fire.

The fire service, police and investigators from the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office are looking into the origin and cause of the fire.

Eckhart stressed the importance of having working smoke alarms in a home with apartments. He said they can alert other tenants to a fire in another unit, allowing everyone to safely escape.

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Nathaniel.Johnson@niagaradailies.com

905-684-7251 | @DaveJTheTrib