The MHA for Lake Melville says the fire in Happy Valley-Goose Bay Friday night was a perfect example of the importance of being prepared.
Perry Trimper says Friday evening could not have been a more “innocent, innocuous kind of evening” then there were reports of a fire, and suddenly it turned into a very serious situation.
A portion of the Canadian side of the community, including the SPCA, was evacuated as a fire spread to numerous buildings, leading to serious concerns about an explosion.
Firefighters from the town and Serco quickly assessed the seriousness of the situation and allowed the fire to burn itself out rather than endanger first responders.
Trimper commends the town and the many other agencies and organizations that came together quickly to respond to the situation.
He helped to coordinate provincial resources and assets and witnessed the “amazing efficiency that comes around having a good plan, a good mayor, council, and the leadership of executing that co-ordination and cooperation.”
Trimper admits there was some confusion surrounding residents who were living in commercial buildings and says those issues will be part of a forensic examination.
He calls it an interesting area in that it once served as the hub of air traffic in the area, but is now almost exclusively owned by private interests.
Estimated damage caused by the blaze is extensive.
RCMP say the fire broke out in a building on Halifax Street shortly after 7:00 Friday evening.
Two commercial buildings were destroyed and a number of other properties were damaged.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.