Fire at Carabin’s bus depot in Reserve Mines

RESERVE MINES — A fire broke out Wednesday afternoon at Carabin's & Transoverland Ltd. in Reserve Mines, destroying the main shop and at least two vehicles.

The Reserve Mines Volunteer Fire Department responded to the blaze on Wednesday afternoon but soon called other departments for help. Firefighters from Dominion, Scotchtown, New Victoria and Glace Bay were on the scene to assist in putting out the blaze.

"If it wasn't for them, everything would be gone and we'd be still fighting it," Reserve Mines fire Chief Steven Binder told the Cape Breton Post at the scene on Wilson Road. He said the fire was big, but crews were able to get it "under control quickly" to keep it from spreading to more of the several coach buses on the property. A bus and dump truck in front of the building were severely burned.

There were also horses nearby that Binder said were moved out of harm's way.

There were no visible flames as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday but heavy smoke continued to billow from the site of the fire.

Officials couldn't comment on how the fire started or the status of the fire marshall investigation, although a fire marshall was on the scene with the fire departments.

Wilson Road was closed to traffic as part of the road was taped off for an investigation.

LUKE DYMENT • CAPE BRETON POST The shop at Carabin’s & Transoverland Ltd. on Wilson Road in Reserve Mines, along with at least one bus and dump truck, were destroyed in a fire that occurred at the bus coach depot on Wednesday afternoon. Reserve Mines Volunteer Fire Department Chief Steven Binder said it’s not yet known how the blaze started, but the quick response from several fire departments prevented flames from spreading beyond the immediate area of the building.