Damage is estimated at a half million dollars following a house fire in Hamilton Township on January 12, 2019.
Fire crews were dispatched to a home on Burnham Street North, approximately one kilometre north of Oak Ridges Drive at approximately 10:40 p.m.
Hamilton Township Fire Chief Kelly Serson said when crews arrived the home was “completely involved with fire.”
“There was fire in the basement, main level and in the roof area.”
A steel roof on the home also hampered firefighters gaining access to the fire.
Firefighters attacked the flames and crews knocked down the flames, but weather which was approximately -10 degrees Celcius may have caused a dry hydrant to freeze in Gores Landing..
“We had weather related issues that caused water issues.”
“Our dry hydrant was giving us issues and I suspect it’s a freezing issue.”
A dry hydrant is basically a pipe in the lake that firefighters can access in an emergency for water supply.
The nearest dry hydrant was at the end of Burnham Street North by Rice Lake. It is believed the dry hydrant may have frozen due to frigid temperatures, and tanker trucks had to attend another dry hydrant in Cold Springs to shuttle water back to the fire scene.
Because of the lack of water, firefighters had to conserve water for a period of time.
They concentrated their efforts on two, 250-pound propane tanks at the back of the house along a nearby double car garage in close proximity to the house..
“We opted to protect the exposures until we could get our water supply re-established again,” said Chief Serson.
Firefighters are still working to determine the cause, but it’s believed the occupant of the home was trying to start an outdoor fire in a chiminea with gasoline.
“That caused the fire and there was a fire outside that caught the inside of the structure on fire.”
Alnwick/Haldimand and Port Hope Fire Departments were called for assistance with shuttling water to the scene.
The home was a complete loss and it’s believed damage is estimated in excess of $500,000.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
