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Long weekend calls for Chemainus, Crofton firefighters almost expected

Small electrical fire, highway accident require attention
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Fire truck is stationed at the corner of Oak and Willow Streets while firefighters attend to the building. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Emergency responders don’t usually expect to get a full long weekend off without any calls.

Something invariably happens on the roadways or with household fires on long weekends.

The Chemainus and Crofton Fire Departments attended a small electrical fire Sunday morning at a residence at 2912 Oak St. at the corner of Willow Street in Chemainus.

“It was contained to the basement wall,” said Capt. Brad Constable of the Chemainus department.

Firefighters were kept on the scene a lot longer than expected, however, due to an unusual circumstance.

“It actually burst a water line,” Constable noted. “It kept that part of the damage minimal there.”

There was a bit of an extension to the ceiling that caused some concern. BC Hydro and Fortis BC were both called and firefighters had to wait on scene until the electricity and natural gas line situations were addressed.

“Also, we wanted to make sure it wasn’t hiding anywhere,” Constable said of the smoke.

It was approaching three hours before the final truck finally headed back to the hall. Crofton had two trucks in support, but both were only required on the scene a short time.

An accident Friday night at Fuller Lake Road and the Trans Canada Highway also resulted in a call to the Chemainus Fire Department plus North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP and BC Ambulance officials.

A driver attempted to make a turn from Fuller Lake Road into a southbound lane and was struck by another vehicle, winding up on a low centre median. There is a no left-hand turn sign at the intersection that the driver ignored.

Drivers of both vehicles sustained minor injuries.



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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