Cold temperatures present challenge at Wainfleet blaze
Sub-zero temperatures created a number of challenges for firefighters during a Boxing Day fire in Wainfleet Tuesday.
Wainfleet Fire and Emergency Services interim Chief Lee Smith said crews responded to a fire at an unoccupied, single-family dwelling being used for storage on Misener Road just after 4 p.m.
Mutual aid from Pelham, Haldimand and Port Colborne — in the form of tankers, engines and manpower — was called in to assist with the fire, the chief said. He added there were probably more than 40 firefighters on scene and they were an integral part of combatting the blaze.
“We wanted to make sure we were on top of the water supply, so constantly picking up water in the tankers and bringing it to the scene. If you have more tankers then you can maintain a consistent water flow,” he said, adding the temperature was so cold there was risk of water freezing in the fire hoses.
He said the tankers were rotating taking trips to the reservoir pond near Wainfleet town hall, about four kilometres away from the scene, midway between Highway 3 and Willford Road. The cold was also a risk for the firefighters, he said. Because of the sub-zero temperatures, firefighters switched off to take time to warm up and rejuvenate before heading back to battle the fire. Having the crews from the other departments made a big difference in accomplishing this, Smith said.
Smith wasn’t sure the exact temperatures during the six and a half hours they were on scene, but described the weather as “bonechilling.”
The age of the dwelling kept crews on the defensive, outside the building, and the fire was under control after about four hours.
Smith didn’t have a damage estimate and said no injuries resulted from the fire.
Those on scene had to be extra vigilant because of the water turning into ice on the ground, Smith said, adding it’s good none of the firefighters were injured.
The fire has not been deemed suspicious, and the exact cause is still being determined, although Smith doesn’t expect the Office of the Fire Marshal will need to be called in.
Smith said the department had a township excavator out to demolish the home on Wednesday morning in an attempt to quash any further hotspots in the rubble.