The Blue Mountains Fire Department was called out to a structure fire on the western boundary of the municipality, and immediately called for backup.
Fire Chief Steve Conn said he was one of the first on scene after the 911 call came in at about noon yesterday (Aug. 25) to report a structure fire on The Blue Mountains/Meaford Townline. Upon arrival, he made sure both The Blue Mountains fire stations were responding and also reached out for help from Meaford.
He said the equipment shed was already engulfed in flames and there was heavy smoke coming from the property.
"We were behind before we started," he said.
There were about 35 firefighters on scene to extinguish the fire and protect nearby buildings and gasoline and diesel fuel tanks.
They used water from a swimming pool on the property and tanker trucks made trips to a fire hydrant about four-kilometres away to keep the firefighters supplied with water.
Fire crews began arriving shortly after noon and didn't get back to the fire station and cleaned up until about 9:30 p.m. EMS crews were on site to monitor the health of the firefighters.
According to Conn the equipment shed was filled with equipment such as excavators and diggers. Another building was attached to the shed, and both were lost completely in the flames.
Conn estimates $1 million in loss between the buildings, equipment, and tools inside.
This was the largest fire The Blue Mountains Fire Department has responded to this year.
Conn consulted the Ontario Fire Marshal's office, but both agreed there was no need for an in-person inspection. Conn said the fire is not suspicious, but the cause will "go down as undetermined."
