The firefighting brotherhood comes together after firehall destroyed by fire north of Kingston on Tuesday afternoon.
The firehall was located in Portland, a small community in the Township of Rideau Lakes. The call came in for a structure fire on Tuesday (December 21, 2021) afternoon around 4 p.m. at the Colborne Street address of Station 2.
Fire Chief Scott Granahan arrived shortly after the fire was reported – but it was to late.
“I arrived a couple minutes later and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the bay area. The three trucks that were inside were already well involved.”
Everything inside including three pieces of fire apparatus, and all the equipment at the fire station was destroyed by vicious flames that quickly tore through the building.
“There is absolutely nothing left.”
Twisted metal is all that remains of the three pieces of fire apparatus were all made in 2009 and were a pumper, tanker and a rescue truck.
Damage in equipment alone is estimated at $1.5 million.
Three investigators with the Office of the Fire Marshal spent Wednesday afternoon and Thursday combing through the debris. Investigators wouldn’t confirm, but sources have said it’s believed the cause of the fire was possibly electrical in the engine area of one of the fire trucks on the south side.
Before the last embers were extinguished, Granahan said the offers of help and support were coming in from neighbouring communities.
Alnwick/Haldimand Township Fire Chief Dave Dawson knows Granahan personally and wanted to help in anyway.
Dawson reached out through the Northumberland County Fire Chiefs Association for any departments that have equipment of any type they could spare to be loaned to Rideau Lakes Fire Department.
Alnwick/Haldimand Township Mayor Gail Latchford along with the rest of council and Chief Administrative Officer Troy Gilmour gave their blessing on the loan of the fire apparatus.
A pumper/tanker from Alnwick/Haldimand Township Fire Department, a water supply trailer with a pump and hose lines on for drafting from Trent Hills Fire Department, along with all sorts of firefighting equipment including pike poles, rope, water rescue equipment, bunker gear, helmets and boots was loaded up at Roseneath Firehall on Thursday morning and headed down Highway 401 for the two hour trip.
The Northumberland County firefighters arrived at the charred remains of the Portland Firehall around 12:30 p.m. and were met by very grateful Rideau Lakes firefighters including Chief Granahan.
Northumberland County along with approximately 30 other departments and suppliers have contacted Granahan asking what they can do to help.
“That part of the brotherhood of the fire service is just incredible.”
“We’re definitely getting there. The support from everyone has been fantastic.”
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
