Kitchener (Ontario) fire dispatch toned out the New Dundee Fire Department for a possible structure fire at 1330 Bleams Road on January 4 at 15:12. The New Dundee district chief could see heavy smoke from his workplace approximately five miles from the scene and requested a full turnout from the Baden Fire Department. A New Dundee firefighter arrived on-scene and reported a fully-involved barn with two serious exposures; a house 20 feet away and a large barn with an attached driving shed approximately 40 feet away. New Dundee requested New Hamburg’s tanker, rescue, and quint be added to the call.

The captain on New Dundee’s pumper reported windows on the house and barn were cracked and set up lines for a defensive attack and to protect exposures. Water was shuttled by four tankers from a hydrant approximately a mile from the scene. Firefighters saved the house and barn with minimal damage, a very good save on a very cold day. The temperature hovered around zero Fahrenheit. A backhoe was used to pull the steel siding off hot spots. Box 690 provided rehab for six hours. Hot drinks and Hot Shot hand warmers were very popular. Damage was pegged at $60,000.

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Gary Dinkel, Box 690

Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel photo

Gary Dinkel