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Chemainus firefighters douse composting fire

Snuffing it out within a storage building takes considerable time
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The Chemainus Fire Department was called out to a late-night fire last week. (Photo by Don Bodger)

The Chemainus Fire Department was called out to a late-evening fire last week along the Trans Canada Highway.

Martin Drakeley, North Cowichan Fire Department chief, indicated it was a composting fire.

“There is always a risk of fire showing when composting is being done due to the heat generated in the middle of the pile,” he explained. “It’s what helps in the composting process. The odd time it breaks through the surface and the air and/or wind create flames that can be seen and reported.”

Drakeley added fire crews have the option to bury it or drown it.

“There were no property references on site so crews made the decision to drown it. It was contained in a storage building and smoke was an issue.”

Firefighters worked on it for about three hours and then handed it back to the owners before returning to the hall in the wee hours of the morning.

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The Chemainus Fire Department marked 100 years in 2021. (Photo by Don Bodger)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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