For more than 15 hours, firefighters battled a stubborn blaze that engulfed an apartment complex in downtown Colborne Friday (Jan. 30, 2026.)
Crews were also forced to battle not just the inferno but the extreme cold, which led to ice buildup and equipment challenges; then there were three water main breaks, and more – and three of their own were also sent to Northumberland Hills Hospital earlier.
As previously reported earlier today, the fire erupted just after 4 a.m. at 8 King St. W., a Northumberland County Housing Corporation two-storey, 20-unit apartment complex known as Maple Court. Operated by the NCHC, it states online this unit offers one-bedroom apartments for seniors ages 50 and older under a rent-geared-to-income model.
In a final update for the evening Friday issued by Northumberland County, officials said emergency crews remained on scene just before 8 p.m.
“The fire, which broke out around 4 a.m., resulted in the evacuation of all tenants,” reads the county’s release. “Paramedics transported four individuals to hospital with non-life-threatening concerns.
“One individual remains unaccounted for.”
As previously reported, one of the individuals sent to hospital was a tenant of the building.
Just nine minutes prior to the county issuing its final release Friday, MBC reached out in response to online reports that the unaccounted for individual had been found, possibly deceased. At press deadline, MBC had received no response.
Similar inquiries also went out to senior fire officials, but again, we received no response at press deadline. Another inquiry went out to OPP, and a public information advisor did respond via email, saying the investigation is still ongoing, and updates will be provided when they become available.
No additional details were released.
County officials said firefighters will continue to maintain a presence at the site until all remaining hotspots are fully extinguished, and the scene is deemed safe. Heavy equipment was brought in earlier to help tear the building apart and tackle hotspots.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Office of the Fire Marshal – and an investigator was on scene Friday.
The temporary emergency evacuation centre set up at the Keeler Centre for displaced residents and citizens impacted by the large plumes of smoke that filled the downtown area has been deactivated. Throughout the day, the centre hosted about 15 tenants with their household pets, county officials confirmed.
“Tenants who require support to identify housing options have moved to temporary emergency hotel accommodations,” added county staff, who alongside first-responders, had been at the scene since the early morning hours Friday. “This service is provided for up to seven days, allowing people time to assess longer-term housing options.”
Given the low – and unhealthy – vacancy rates across Northumberland, soaring rental costs and Northumberland’s sole shelter often at or surpassing capacity, it’s unclear where all the tenants may find temporary refuge later.
“County social services caseworkers will continue working directly with affected tenants to provide housing support, identification applications, health and wellness co-ordination, and next steps,” vowed staff.
As the situation has now settled some into the nighttime hours, Lakefront Utilities has also confirmed all three water main breaks had been repaired just before 9 p.m. Previously, staff were asking residents in certain areas to halt water usage altogether and all others on municipal water supply to limit usage to help firefighters knock down the inferno. (Officials did note that some flushing would continue in the King Street area tonight but was supposed to be completed Friday.)
The scene early this morning was intense.
“When we originally got on scene here, we had significant fire from the second storey of the building, which progressed into the attic area and then beyond the rest of the building, catching the whole upper roof on fire,” Township of Cramahe fire Chief Matt Halmasy told MBC.
Halmasy said crews did all they could to get firefighters inside for a primary search and interior attack at the start – but then “the fire changed dramatically” – and there were reports the roof was collapsing at one point. Firefighters had to be pulled out, and a switch had to be made to an exterior attack, explained Halmasy.
It was later confirmed that three of their own were sent to hospital for observation/minor injuries (possibly connected to rescues, but MBC hasn’t confirmed this.)
In the midst of all this – “on the coldest day of the year” – first-responders and county staff were trying to track down all the tenants. Some had ended up running to nearby homes and locations, but around mid-day officials confirmed all but one person was accounted for.
“The smoke alarm systems were working in the building, which alerted all the residents – so that was great,” noted Halmasy.
Multiple fire departments answered Cramahe’s call for help, including Brighton, Alnwick/Haldimand and Trent Hills, and at least more than 30 firefighters worked through these wicked conditions to keep the community safe and put this fire out.
Halmasy described water supply as another huge challenge, which only compounded problems, amid ice build-up and the like. Although, crews did find a workaround with a rural water supply setup to help offset the water shortage (this means tanker trucks had to then also shuttle water, and portable tanks were set up.)
The scene requires “a significant amount of overhaul,” Halmasy told us earlier in the day.
The OFM was called in to help determine a cause, although Halmasy predicted it could be quite a challenge since the building was completely ravaged by the fire. Simply put, it’s anticipated to be a total loss, displacing some 20 residents.
Just like how Northumberland’s first-responders and county and social services staff came together, the community didn’t hesitate either.
Offers of donations and inquiries around ways to help have been flooding in throughout the day. (Although, as previously reported, donations have paused temporarily at this time.)
“Community response from across Northumberland County is phenomenal: Fire departments, OPP, county staff, emergency response organizations, Cramahe municipal staff – and a special mention to the Donna Rusaw Black Dress Catering crew (for) prepping food for fire volunteers, et cetera,” wrote Cramahe Mayor Mandy Martin online today, noting it was the coldest night of the year, “but here we are (and) thank you to so many caring people.”
Several other nearby businesses and organizations, like Downey’s Pharmacy and the Colborne Food Bank, also stepped up through the day to ensure emergency crews and evacuees had food this morning.
Warden Bob Crate was also among area leaders who spoke up Friday.
“Our hearts are with the tenants who have lost their homes and belongings as a result of this devastating fire,” he said. “Losing one’s home is profoundly difficult, and I want residents to know that the county remains fully committed to walking alongside them as they begin to recover and plan for what comes next.”
The warden also expressed sincere appreciation for the extraordinary collective response in the community and across Northumberland.
He described an incredible response comprised of urgency, compassion, and professionalism, thanking everyone from social services staff – who jumped into action to co-ordinate emergency supports – to police, fire and paramedics, who worked tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions, and more.
NCHC board members worked at providing evacuation centre support, while county facilities, paramedicine professionals and communications staff helped mobilize immediate supports for tenants and keep the community informed, he said. He added Township of Cramahe staff and members of council aided with emergency co-ordination, and partners at Red Cross and OCEAP and many more answered the call and reached out with donations, supplies and offered help.
This heartwarming response reflects the very best of the community, he said.
County staff said they will continue to work closely with emergency services and partner agencies and will provide additional information when able.
This is still a developing story, and MBC will provide updates when more information becomes available.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
