Hangar 8 in Happy Valleygoose Bay destroyed
Historic hangar one of several buildings affected by blazes, explosion
Fires in Happy Valley-goose Bay and on the Canadian Forces Base in the town were deemed under control by midmorning on Saturday, April 20.
On Friday night, April 19, the mayor of Happy Valleygoose Bay declared a State of Emergency after fires broke out at several buildings on the community's North Side (Canadian Side).
The fire started as a structure fire at 7:10 p.m. that evening.
The RCMP asked residents to remain at least a kilometre away from the area.
In a news release, the police described the distance as "from the end of the airport to the docks" while efforts to extinguish the fires were underway.
EXPLOSION EXPECTED
Happy Valley-goose Bay Mayor George Andrews told Saltwire there were three structures to the east of the old hangar where fire crews were battling a blaze.
At 9:30 p.m., the town declared a State of Emergency after the former airport hangar went ablaze. Explosions were expected.
"They turned around and the tower that was on top of the old hangar was ablaze so then they started to fight that," Andrews said.
"Subsequently, the fire grew and grew and grew."
HANGAR SIGNIFICANCE
The airport hangar (Hangar 8) was a historic structure in the community.
Andrews said it was built by the Canadian Armed Forces back when the Americans occupied the American side of the base.
Canada's Historic Places said Hangar 8 is "directly associated with the original function of the Goose Bay base as part of the Strategic Air Command network, established to deter a Soviet attack on North America."
'BLEW OUT OF BUILDING'
Andrews said the state of emergency was well justified.
“There were several soldiers that were actually involved in the explosions that actually blew out of the building,” Andrews told Saltwire.
“Upon survey of the site this morning, there were several large pieces of metal debris from the hanger as a result of explosions last evening.”
No one was injured in the fire. Andrews said the town’s fire crews did an excellent job keeping the risk of explosion in mind.
“When they decided to pull out, I think it was a good time,” he said.
STATE OF EMERGENCY OVER
The town’s state of emergency ended at 9 a.m. Saturday
The following streets were directly impacted and remain inaccessible due to structural instability and winds in the area:
• Halifax Street
• Toronto Street
• Winnipeg Street
• Ottawa Avenue
• London Street
The RCMP is still encouraging homeowners not to go to their properties at this time as several hot spots remain.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and a Fire Scene Investigator with the Fire Services Division of Justice and Public Safety is attending the scene today to continue with the investigation.
BACK TO NORMAL
Andrews said a lot of people are shocked by the situation, but things are mostly back to normal now.
“Yesterday this time, there was a huge hangar there, and now today there’s nothing,” he said.
“The airfield is back open, the roads to North West River are open, so really now it’s a fire department mop up and the RCMP are investgating.”
Since the fire started, the community and province have rallied together to support Happy Valley-goose Bay.
Andrews received a call from the Premier, and numerous community organizations and businesses have offered to help.
He thanked the fire crews and first responders for their work.
“We’re 8,000 people but we have tremendous resources, especially from the firefighter and first responder perspective.
“It was like a well-oiled machine last night,” Andrews said.