There appears to be a firebug at work in the area of Cochrane Pond Park – and only luck prevented the fire yesterday from jumping the highway and potentially turning Paddy’s Pond into an inferno.
St. John’s Regional responded to four fires in the park yesterday, each targeting vacant RVs. Platoon Chief Mike Hall says the lack of wind kept the fires at bay but had it been up, we would likely be talking about a forest fire today.
Also of grave concern is its proximity to the heavily populated area of Southlands.
“I looked across the highway yesterday on several occasions and you can still see the fire breaks and the charred area from last year. What saved us last year was mother Nature,” says Chief Hall. “Now, we’re on the other side of the highway with a firebug working against us.”
The RNC have not yet made any arrests.
People in the park were ordered a year ago to vacate the area because of a separate issue, but it’s unclear as to the number of people who abided by the order.
