July 17, 2012, 2936 Arthur St North, just north of Elmira Ontario Canada. Box 690 members were at Station 5 in Kitchener restocking supplies from a call in Petersburg when Floradale, Elmira, Conestogo, and St Jacobs were toned out for a wood shop fire at 10:20 am. Floradale firefighters reported heavy smoke showing from their hall. This was the hottest day ever on this date (118 F). The building was fully involved on arrival. The fire had spread to two 54’ trailers that contained wood, and piles of lumber on the E4 side of the building, and a large storage shed full of wood to the rear of the structure. More than 60 firefighters were on-scene battling the fire and the heat of the day. Water was shuttled by three tankers from a large pond located adjacent to the fire, to the St Jacobs pumper that set up on Arthur St. Elmira’s P1 set up to draft at the pond, and a 4” supply line was hand laid from the pond, 1,400’ to the Floradale pumper.

 The fire was at a Mennonite Wood Business, damage was over $1,000,000.

Box 690 responded initially with three members. We were very fortunate to have the assistance of the Floradale Ladies Auxiliary at this fire. Box 690 was on scene for eight hours and served 1,278 food and drink items on that day. This was by far the largest call in terms of product served that we have had in our 25 years of service.

 Photos by

Gary Dinkel

Box 690

Rear of structure, Elmira’s quint was used to extinguish the fire in the Cyclone. Gary Dinkel photo

shows the section of the large shed that firefighters saved. Note the there is only a pile left at the far end of the photo. Gary Dinkel photo

Floradale pumper, Mennonite buggy, old meets new. Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel photo