Restoration efforts underway at Golden Plough following Saturday’s fire
Golden Plough Lodge. Photo by Jeff Gard, Northumberland 89.7 FM News
By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative.
Officials with Northumberland County and the Golden Plough Lodge are now turning their attention to the restoration efforts after a fire damaged several rooms at the long-term care facility Saturday.
Emergency Services were called to there just before 3 pm as a fire was reported in one resident’s room on the main floor of Mcmillan Cottage.
Glenn Dees, Director of Health and Human Services for Northumberland County told a Community Health Committee meeting Tuesday that two adjacent residents' rooms on the main floor were also impacted. On the lower floor water damage has impacted two resident’s rooms, the nursing station, the registered nursing office and portions of the hallway.
He explained that seven residents were displaced as a result of damage.
“A total of five rooms we are not able to utilize, with seven residents displaced as a result of that. But they are being accommodated for within the home,” Dees explained.
Five staff members were transported to hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. However, all residents were medically cleared with no health related issues.
Dees said building inspectors with the Town of Cobourg have been on site to assess the structural integrity of the facility, giving it the all clear.
Yet the County will need to obtain a building permit and have certified engineering plans in place for the restoration. He estimates that it could cost $100,000 to repair the damage.
“That likely could be two weeks [for permits and engineering designs] and then maybe another week or two for restoration activities after that. It could be a month. Cost is very difficult to determine at this time, but what the restoration company is indicating is that it’s easily going to be in excess of $100,000. We are working through our insurance provider,” Dees said.
The fire comes as the County is getting set to move residents to a newly constructed long-term care facility next door. That project is expected to be completed sometime this spring.
