Cold weather meant a fire in a mobile home park in Blackpool on Saturday could have been much worse, according to Mike Savage, deputy chief of Blackpool Volunteer Fire Department.
"It was minus-22 with the wind chill," he said. "That kind of cold brings all kinds of challenges with air packs, hose nozzles and so on. Still, we managed to put it out with no obvious injuries to firefighters or anyone else ... although the trailer’s owner was treated for possible smoke inhalation."
"Most of our turnout gear was standing up on its own when we came back to the firehall," Savage added.
Blackpool Fire Department received a call at 11:04 a.m. on Saturday about the fire at the mobile home park.
The trailer was fully involved when firefighters arrived.
A large propane tank nearby was venting but not yet on fire.
The firefighters attempted to cool down the area around the tank before turning it off, but were forced back temporarily when ammunition stored in the back of the trailer started going off.
Savage said he heard several rounds whiz by him.
Another complication was a truck with a tidy-tank full of fuel on its back that was located in the driveway.
Clearwater Fire Department was called in for assistance, as was BC Hydro and On Call Towing (to remove the truck with the fuel tank). Despite their efforts the trailer was completely destroyed, as well as one of the vehicles parked in the driveway.
However, two other vehicles were saved, as well as an outbuilding. There was no damage to any of the other residences in the mobile home park.
Clearwater RCMP report that the investigation is ongoing but all evidence at this time indicates the fire was not intentional.
Below: Smoke billows out of a residence in Thompson Crossing manufactured housing park in Blackpool on Saturday as firefighters assess the scene. One complication was ammunition stored in the trailer going off.
