Fire destroys fire station in Portland, Ont.
A massive fire has destroyed the fire station in the community of Portland, Ont., about 100 km southwest of Ottawa.
The fire broke out Tuesday afternoon. Witnesses reported hearing loud bangs before the volunteer fire department went up in flames. A massive plume of smoke could be seen rising into the air.
Marc Gravelle lives nearby and told CTV News at Six that he first heard loud bangs at around 4:15 p.m.
"What we thought was like a bomb went off. It actually shook our home," he said. "We immediately ran outside to see our volunteer fire department was completely engulfed. It was very scary. Within seconds, I would say, the entire building was completely gone."
Gravelle said the volunteer service's fire trucks were also inside the garage when the fire broke out and have also been destroyed. He says a local councillor told him the equipment was insured, which the Township of Rideau Lakes later confirmed in a press release.
The township says the fire was extinguished by the Rideau Lakes Fire Department Delta, Elgin and Westport Stations, with assistance from the Smiths Falls Fire Department. Station coverage was provided by Leeds and the Thousand Islands and South Frontenac Departments.
"They're doing a fantastic job. We're basically on the water here at the Rideau Lakes, so they've already got two pipe systems in there, watering the buildings down. So, we're not as afraid but when the propane tanks explode, that really gets you," Gravelle said.
Hydro One also reported a power outage in the small community at the time of the fire.
In a release, the Township of Rideau Lakes said no one was hurt.
"The hall and its contents were destroyed," said Rideau Lakes fire chief Scott Granahan, "The cause of the fire is still under investigation."
"While a significant loss for the community, we are thankful that no one was injured in the fire," mayor Arie Hoogenboom said. "I extend my appreciation to our firefighters and our neighbouring departments for their professionalism and support."
Hoogenboom told CTV News Ottawa that there was a tanker, a pumper, and a rescue vehicle in the fire station when it burned. Everything was destroyed.
"It's quite devastating for our department, obviously, our volunteer department," he said, "and also for the township as a whole because we put a lot of value into our volunteer fire department and it's a very important emergency service."
The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal is also investigating.
"The OFM will be sending an investigator to the scene December 22nd. Our Field and Advisory Services team will also be working with local fire officials to assess what's needed by the fire service," a statement said.
"We want to find out the cause of the fire," Hoogenboom said. "At this point in time, nobody suspects foul play, but it's important to have the fire marshal here, particularly when it's such a sizeable loss, to know what caused the fire, could it have been prevented, those kinds of things."
The fire did an estimated $1.5 million in damage to the vehicles and building, Granahan said Wednesday.
He added that neighbouring communities have offered fire equipment so there will be no loss of fire coverage in the area.
He says the loss of the fire hall is affecting the whole community.
"It was gutting for the membership, this is their home," Granahan said. "Many of the members have been here for decades, so to have this loss come in the holiday season, just after another tragic fire within our community, was really tough for the membership. They rallied and they did a great job last night, and they continue to work hard today, and we'll just persevere and get through it and continue to do our job."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. Both weren't expecting to meet someone special the night they crossed paths at a bar in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
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.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
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.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.
The House is on the brink of approving aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle
The House is preparing in a rare Saturday session to approve US$95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.