Firefighters were back at the scene at Yates Boat Shop in Springdale this morning to knock down hot spots following a conflagration that forced the evacuation of the neighbouring seniors’ home.
The Springdale Volunteer Fire Department got the call around suppertime last night about a fire at the business on Corporal Bouzane Boulevard.
By the time they arrived, the building was fully engulfed and the decision was made to evacuate the senior’s home. Deputy Fire Chief Peter Hillier commends the evacuation effort.
“It went like a well-oiled machine,” says Hillier “I guess they had a plan in place and it was executed to a ‘T’.”
Hillier says the winds worked in their favour, helping them to contain the blaze, but because of the nature of the business, there were some serious safety concerns for firefighters from Springdale and nearby King’s Point.
They had a number of ‘bleves’ which is when a propane tank heats to the point where it blows up. They had a number of explosions, but he says it could have gone sideways in a hurry if the conditions hadn’t worked in their favour.
(Photo via Pamela Thomas Facebook.)
The mayor of Springdale commends the efforts of all who were involved in battling the fire and evacuating the seniors’ home.
Alex Goudie says things could have turned out differently but the emergency plans worked to a tee. It began by bringing in two buses to transport the residents.
He says staff at the Kingsway Retirement Home did a great job. The residents were taken to the Salvation Army Church, which is a muster station. Most then went with family members for the night but those who did not have family in the immediate area went to Springdale Seniors Home.
Area MHA Brian Warr used to operate the hardware store next door to the boat building business, which is owned by George Yates and his family. Warr says the business has been in the family for decades.
He reaches out to George Yates last night. He said to Warr that it took forty years to build it up and two hours to see it in shambles.
