Members of the Whitewater Region Fire Department had a hectic first day of the year.
Crews responded to a report of a barn on fire at 5:40 p.m. Jan. 1 on the Zion Line between Sturgeon Mountain and Beachburg roads, says Fire Chief Jonathan McLaren.
“Crews found a large barn which had been converted to a garage fully involved with multiple exposures including a large propane cylinder, grain dryers, and multiple outbuildings,” said McLaren in an email interview. “Firefighters immediately began work to protect the exposures and attack the fire with multiple hose lines.”
McLaren says the fire was under control by 7:30 p.m. and the scene was clear by 9:30 p.m.
“At peak operations 40 firefighters and 9 apparatus were working to contain the blaze,” said McLaren.
Fortunately, there were no injuries to civilians or firefighters reported.
The building and two highway tractors stored inside were destroyed. Total damage is an estimated $1.5 million, said McLaren.
Ontario Provincial Police attended for initial traffic control and Township of Whitewater Region public works closed portions of Sturgeon Mountain and Zion Line as well as provided additional salt and sand to the roadways to facilitate tanker shuttle operations.
“Renfrew County Paramedic Services attended for standby as well as with their command trailer for firefighter rehab,” said McLaren. “Fire crews faced strong winds on scene that made this fire even more challenging.”
The fire is not considered suspicious.
Earlier in the day, firefighters attended a different house fire on Waterview Road, as well as a vehicle rollover on Chenaux Road.
Residents of the Beachburg water supply are also under a boil water advisory. McLaren said it was initially thought that the fire department had drawn too much water but it turns out there was a simultaneous water main break.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)