A fire that broke out Oct. 9, 2025, has ravaged a Queen Street apartment in Trenton. /Brian Flynn photo
Nine people have been displaced just ahead of Thanksgiving after a fire ravaged a century-old home on Queen Street in Trenton Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
Quinte West Fire and Emergency Services Chief John Whalen said crews were at the scene around 10:45 a.m. Thursday and immediately started with an interior attack – but the fire quickly got out of control due to the century-old home and its balloon-frame construction, meaning crews had to switch to a defensive, exterior attack.
Belleville fire brought in its aerial truck to help knock down the stubborn blaze at the apartment, but crews were still on scene into the evening.
Just after 6 p.m., Whelan confirmed an excavating company was on scene “tearing the building apart,” and had expressed hopes around 7 p.m. that crews would be clearing soon.
Police and paramedics, along with Enbridge and hydro crews, were also called in Thursday.
Whelan said the home contained five apartments, but all residents made it out OK – and later confirmed that nine people called the historic Queen Street structure home. Whelan said victim services has been contacted to help residents displaced by the blaze.
Firefighters saved one cat earlier in the day, but a couple of dogs are believed to have perished in the blaze, Whalen told MBC.
There’s still no word yet on the cause, but Whalen said the Office of the Fire Marshal has been contacted.
At press deadline, Queen Street remained shut down between Creswell Drive and Wilkins Street. The City of Quinte West has said official notice will be issued when the road fully reopens.
Officials have also been asking people to avoid the area.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
