Electrical malfunction suspected cause of Portland, Ont. fire department blaze
An electrical issue with one of the tanker trucks at the Portland, Ont. fire department is suspected to be the source of a massive blaze last December.
The fire hall, which had served the Rideau Lakes area for 50 years, was destroyed in a massive fire on Dec. 21. The entire structure and contents, including a tanker truck, a pumper truck, and a rescue vehicle were lost. The vehicles have since been replaced, with insurance covering the costs.
Rideau Lakes Township said Monday that the final report on the fire investigation was delivered last week. It showed that the fire started with the tanker truck itself in the west end bay of the fire hall. Two different electrical sources were identified as having possibly caused the fire.
“It could have been a malfunction in the charging system of the tanker truck, and/or an electrical malfunction or failure of the branch circuitry [the 120-volt AC receptacle that supplies power to the truck],” a news release from the township said. “These two items were removed from the scene for expert examination.”
Officially, the cause of the fire is undetermined. Investigators were unable to isolate the source of ignition because the damage was so extensive. The fire is not considered suspicious.
The Township of Rideau Lakes announced in June that Fire Station 2 would be rebuilt in the community of Lombardy, about 17 kilometres to the northeast of Portland. The location will result in an even distribution of fire stations across the township, officials said. Construction is expected to begin next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.