Some retirement home occupants can't come home for months following fire
Some occupants of the 99 McNaughton West retirement home have learned it'll be months before they can go back home following a fire in August.
Municipality of Chatham-Kent officials said Thursday that repairs to the building were progressing, and occupants of section D can return home by Nov. 15. Municipal staff will be in touch to explain specifics.
Section C, meanwhile, will be repaired shortly after that, but more will be revealed on Nov. 8.
Sections A and B of the building need extensive repairs, which will take several months, but there's currently no estimated timeline for occupants to return to these sections, officials said.
There were no reported injuries during the fire, but 90 of the complex's 120 units were affected.
The municipality provided accommodations after the fire.
Officials say tenants should get independent legal advice if they need it, and they can contact Chatham-Kent Legal Clinic.
There's also case managers available to help people.
A 30-year-old Chatham woman has been arrested in connection with the fire and charged with arson — disregard for human life.
A 48-year-old man is wanted on the same charge.
