Nelson Fire Rescue & Services extinguish fire at former Kootenay Forest Products peco deck
By The Nelson Daily Staff
Nelson Fire and Rescue Services said damage is estimated at $3,000 following a fire last week at the abandoned peco deck of the former Kootenay Forest Products on the waterfront in lower Fairview at the end of Sproat Drive.
Nelson Fire and Rescue Services said the fire was the result of a transient homeless couple who had been sheltering under the deck
“The fire appears to have originated in the tent and primarily affected the tent and its contents,” Nelson Fire and Rescue Services said after firefighters extinguished the Thursday evening fire in minutes with approximately 150 gallons of foam and water.
“There was also serious charring to some of the timbers underneath the tent.
“No one was in the tent or the immediate area at the time of the fire and there were no related injuries.”
The public witnessed drifting black smoke and a 2-meter x 4-meter area from the heavy timber deck that was on fire.
Nelson Fire and Rescue Services said the first arriving crew’s primary objective was containment of the fire to limit damage to the rest of the timber/metal structure.
Nelson Fire and Rescue Services said there was some serious charring to some of the timbers underneath the tent.
“Crews encountered camping gear and the remains of a tent in the burnt area,” Nelson Fire and Rescue Services said.
“The tent and gear were later determined to belong to a transient homeless couple who had been sheltering under the deck,” Nelson Fire and Rescue Services added.
“It is believed the sounds of the explosions were due to some of the almost empty propane and butane cannisters rapidly venting the remainder of their contents cause by the heat of the fire.”
Nelson Fire and Rescue said four firefighters responded to the incident with one fire engine and one water tender.
Two members of the Nelson Police Department also attended, assisting with the initial investigation of the fire.
Nelson Fire and Rescue Services would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to ensure that all propane tanks are stored outside of your homes, including tents.
