The Mayor of Lewisporte calls it a “wake-up call for all small towns in Newfoundland” and Labrador.

Betty Clarke was responding to questions raised after a home in nearby Michael’s Harbour recently burned to the ground because of a lack of fire protection services.

Lewisporte requires 100 per cent co-operation in order to provide fire services to unincorporated areas.

It turns out the community wasn’t covered because three households wouldn’t agree to pay the fire protection fee.

She says a few years ago, the town manager and town clerk went door-to-door in Michael’s Harbour, to offer fire protection from Lewisporte Fire-Rescue. She says three people weren’t willing to avail of those services and unless they got 100 per cent co-operation the fire services won’t be provided.

Clarke says the province and MNL has to get involved to ensure that all towns have fire protection services.

She says a resident of Michael’s Harbour has since signed everyone in the community up for the service and the money will be found in Michael’s Harbour for the few who can’t, or won’t, pay the annual fee.