March 4, 2025 – OHSWEKEN, ON – On Sunday, March 2, 2025, at approximately 12:30 p.m., a fire was reported in the laundry room of Iroquois Lodge. The incident, which originated from a dryer, was quickly spotted by a staff member who acted swiftly and attempted to extinguish the flames using a fire extinguisher. At the same time, another staff member promptly called a Code Red to alert the team and activate emergency protocols.

Thanks to the efficient response from the staff, all residents were safely evacuated from the dining room and relocated to their designated wings, which are secured by fire doors. The dedicated team at Iroquois Lodge worked diligently to ensure that all residents remained calm and secure throughout the evacuation process.

Upon arrival, Six Nations Fire & Emergency Services swiftly extinguished the flames and remained on-site to clear the area of smoke, prioritizing the safety of residents and staff. For the duration of the incident, residents received meal service in their rooms, and they remained in their designated wings until it was deemed safe to return to their regular routines by Monday morning, March 3, 2025.

Iroquois Lodge is grateful to report that there were no injuries among residents, and damage was confined to the laundry room. However, due to the fire, laundry services will be unavailable until further notice. We kindly ask families who can assist with laundry for their loved ones to do so during this time. Staff are currently assessing any personal items that may have been affected by the fire, and we appreciate your patience as we navigate the cleanup process.

“I would like to thank all the wonderful staff who worked on Sunday for their quick actions and calm demeanor. The residents were informed of what was happening, and everyone remained calm. I would also like to give a great big thanks to the firefighters who responded in case an evacuation was needed, the firefighters who prevented the spread of the fire, and the Fire Chief who kept us informed so we could keep the residents informed. Most of all, I want to thank all of the staff at Iroquois Lodge for their dedication and passion.” Teresa Dupis, Interim Administrator, Iroquois Lodge.

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Media Contact Information: FIRE AT IROQUOIS LODGE PROMPTLY CONTAINED – ALL RESIDENTS SAFE
Caitlin Court, Communications Coordinator, (519) 751-6148
1695 Chiefswood Road, P.O. Box 5000, Ohsweken Ontario N0A 1M0