Fire shuts down North Kentville laundromat, damages adjacent service station
A fire that started inside a wall at a service station and laundromat could have been much more serious if it hadn’t been for a quick response by the Kentville Fire Department.
Kentville fire chief Ryan MacEachern said his department was called to the scene shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 19 after a fire broke out inside a wall in the laundromat portion of the D&M Ultramar Service Centre on Nichols Avenue.
MacEachern said this portion of the business incurred heavy fire, smoke and heat damage. The store portion suffered some smoke damage as well.
As friends dropped in to bring him lunch just before noon on Feb. 20, D&M Service Centre co-owner Duane Gould said the customer support and phone calls have been amazing. It’s still a difficult situation, however. “It’s heartbreaking,” he said. Although what was lost will be replaced by insurance, Gould said, “you work so hard” for what you have and it’s not easy seeing it destroyed.
He doesn’t know the overall cost of the damage yet but estimates it will be several thousand dollars.
Although the Ultramar is pumping gas and the store is open, the business is not allowed to sell any food products until a thorough cleaning. The laundromat will remain closed until further notice.
Gould said he credits the Kentville Fire Department’s quick response for saving the service station and gives them “two thumbs up” for their great work.
“You hope you never need them but when you do…I’ll probably buy two chicken dinners this summer,” Gould said.
MacEachern said it was fortunate that the business was open at the time and the fire was noticed so quickly. There was a woman doing laundry at the time but she was able to escape without incident.
Luckily, there was a crew already on hand at the fire hall, as this was the department’s fifth call of the day. In addition to responding to a midafternoon school bus fire, firefighters were called to a single-vehicle collision on Highway 12 in South Alton; a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Scott Drive and Rosedale Avenue in North Kentville; a call to render assistance at a residence on Duncan Avenue in Kentville, where a child had become stuck in a window well; and a chimney fire on Cornwallis Crescent in Coldbrook.
“We were ready to roll,” MacEachern said.
He said the fire broke out from inside the wall, burning in behind some washing machines. A second room was affected but firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it spread further. Crews remained on the scene for about three hours.