Just after 1 PM on Tuesday, August 20th, Drumheller Fire responded to a structure fire near the Newcastle Recreation Area along Newcastle Trail.
According to Fire Chief Derain Rosario, the fire did not look significant from the street but was not the case. “It did start in the home and went up high in the home from a fixture, into the ceiling and roof structure. It actually was quite involved. From outside of the home you didn’t see a lot of stuff going on but internally the house was burning quite well.”
A number of volunteer firefighters responded with four fire trucks on scene, one from the Rosedale Hall, one from the East Coulee Hall, including EMS, RCMP, and Town of Drumheller Protective Services. “With fires like that, we will scale up very quickly to make sure we have a lot of positive control,” notes Fire Chief Rosario. “I can’t say enough about the crews, they did great work. They got water on the fire very quickly and we did minimize the damage to the structure.”
The structure was saved and the occupants can continue to access the home. Fire Chief Rosario shared that there is some damage from the fire, including smoke and water damage.
Conditions continue to be very dry in and around Drumheller. Fire Chief Rosario shares that although Drumheller is not under a fire ban at this time, people still need to be mindful especially when it comes to using fire pits. “We do allow recreational fire pits as long they are conforming to the fire bylaw. When anybody uses their fire pit, when they are done with them, I strongly encourage them to soak that fire pit, stir it, and then soak it again.”
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