Woolwich Township (ON) firefighters were dispatched to a fully involved shop fire May 11th at 4:40 at 1088 Wittick Road. Floradale station reported they could see heavy fire from the station approximately 2.5 miles from the scene. Firefighters arrived to a fully involved 100’ x 30’, steel sided shop, which was attached to a large barn. Fire had extended into the barn.
Floradale pumper set up beside the barn and had their tanker drop a port-a-tank, dump their load, and drop their LDH to the road. Elmira’s pumper set up two port-a-tanks on the road for the five tankers to fill. Elmira’s aerial was at a hydrant in Elmira approximately 3.5 miles from the scene to fill tankers. Multiple lines were pulled around the structure.
The owners of the property were able to get most of the cattle from the barn. The interior crew was able to knock the fire down in the hay mow and the main floor of the barn. Crews outside cooled two large propane tanks and were able to hit the fire on the exterior of the barn. One fuel tank bled off just as I walked up to the scene.
Firefighters made a very good save on the property. No cattle were lost and the barn is still standing. One or both of the silos may need to be replaced. Damage has been pegged between $500,000 and $1,000,000. Box 690 and the Floradale Women’s Auxiliary provided rehab to the 50 firefighters on scene.
Woolwich stations on scene:
- Floradale pumper, rescue, tanker (3,000 US gallons)
- Elmira pumper, rescue, aerial, pumper-tanker (2,500 US gallons)
- Conestogo pumper-tanker (3,000 US gallons)
- St Jacobs tanker (3,000 US gallons)
- Maryhill tanker (3,000 US gallons)
- Box 690
Gary Dinkel, Box 690 Canteen
