Cobourg, ON – January 30, 2026 – Emergency services remain on scene following the early morning fire at the Northumberland County Housing Corporation (NCHC) apartment complex located at 8 King Street, West in Colborne.
The fire, which broke out around 4:00 a.m., resulted in the evacuation of all tenants. Paramedics transported four individuals to hospital with non-life-threatening concerns. One individual remains unaccounted for.
Firefighters will continue to maintain a presence at the site until all remaining hot spots are fully extinguished and the scene is deemed safe. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Office of the Fire Marshal.
The Emergency Evacuation Centre at the Keeler Centre has been deactivated. At its peak, approximately 15 tenants accessed the centre, along with several household pets.
Tenants who require support to identify housing options have moved to temporary emergency hotel accommodations. This service is provided for up to seven days, allowing people time to assess longer-term housing options. County Social Services caseworkers will continue working directly with affected tenants to provide housing support, identification applications, health and wellness coordination, and next steps.
“Our hearts are with the tenants who have lost their homes and belongings as a result of this devastating fire,” states Warden Bob Crate. “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:
“On behalf of County Council, I extend our deepest thanks to the many people who responded today with urgency, compassion, and professionalism.
First, to our Social Services staff, thank you for jumping into action to coordinate emergency supports for residents experiencing such loss. And to our Police, Fire, and Paramedic services who worked tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions; NCHC Board members who provided evacuation centre support; County Facilities, Community Paramedicine, and Communications staff who mobilized immediately to support tenants and keep our community informed; Cramahe Township staff and members of Township Council for their emergency coordination; our partners at the Red Cross and OCEAP; and the many community members and local organizations who reached out, donated supplies, and offered help—your response reflects the very best of our community.”
The County continues to work closely with emergency services and partner agencies and will provide additional information if and when it becomes available.
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