Nelson Fire Rescue updates recent string of fires that impacted Heritage City
By Nelson Daily Staff
The string of fires that kept Nelson Fire Rescue busy during a three-day stretch earlier this month all had electricity as the common denominator said Chief Len MacCharles in a media release Monday.
Nelson Fire Rescue has been dealing with investigations following the three fires — two in one days — and a major blaze that affected a handful of local businesses near the heart of downdown Nelson.
“Our city saw three serious fires occur in relatively short order a few weeks ago,” Chief MacCharles explained in the media release.
“That can be alarming for some and leave many questions for others, so I thought it important to provide an update on the fires,” he added.
308 Chatham Street – House
The first fire on the morning of June 9th, a house fire at 308 Chatham Street in Fairview, gave commuters travelling to work a show as flames could be seen from many parts of the city.
MacCharles said Nelson Fire & Rescue Services, Nelson Police, BC Ambulance, Nelson Hydro, and FortisBC Gas all responded to assist with this incident.
Chatham Street details include:
In addition to the home that the fire originated in, which sustained significant damage, the two adjacent homes were also impacted. One of the adjacent homes experienced exterior damage from the radiant heat as well as some smoke damage to the interior. The other adjacent home was exposed to substantially more heat and fire causing the exterior of that building to ignite with the fire extending quickly into the attic space.
Fire crews conducted an aggressive interior attack into the attic space to confine the fire. The main body of fire in this building was extinguished and crews were required to open portions of the ceiling and walls to completely extinguish the fire and ensure fire did not spreading to other areas of the structure. All attempts were made to minimize smoke and water damage to the structure.
Due to the extent of damage to the house where the fire originated, an excavator was brought in to remove an unstable section of the structure and support another section while the investigation team worked. There were tenants and family members from two of the homes that required temporary accommodation assistance.
Suspected cause of the fire: The fire investigation is being finalized with evidence showing the fire started on the lower level with the cause strongly suspected to be electrical in nature.
556 Ward Street – Apartment Fire
Later in the day while crews were still mopping up at Chatham Street, numerous 911 calls were received of an apartment fire in the Green Apartments on Ward Street.
Ward Street details include:
Fire crews and Nelson Police responded to find smoke coming from an upper floor apartment. Fire was found in a bathroom and was extending into the living room. Police assisted with evacuations and fire crews were able to extinguish the fire and check other apartments to ensure that the fire had not spread through any void spaces.
There was some smoke damage throughout the building, but crews were able to extinguish the fire with a minimal use of water resulting in little water damage.
During the fire, three pets were located safe and sound by fire crews. Central Bark, a local pet store provided pet carriers to assist until pets could be reunited with their owners.
Suspected cause of the fire: The fire investigation is currently being finalized with the information pointing to improper use of an electrical appliance.
602 Josephine Street – Commercial Building Fire
On Thursday, June 11th, at approximately 5:30 p.m., first responders, including Nelson Fire Rescue and Nelson Police, were called to a major structure fire in a building at the corner of Josephine and Victoria Streets in Nelson. The initial cause was that the fire burning in a ceiling bathroom fan.
Josephine/Victoria Street details include:
On arrival of the two duty crew members and fire chief, it was evident that fire was in the ceiling and attic spaces and had been burning undetected for some time. There was extensive heat and fire spread. Crews made openings into the ceiling spaces from the interior in a number of locations but each one allowed for little extinguishment.
Due to years of numerous renovations and additions, there were various roof structures, false ceilings and construction that prevented effective extinguishment. After some time, it became unsafe to continue with interior operations and efforts switched to an exterior attack.
Various firefighting strategies were used but the fire continued to prove difficult to manage resulting in numerous hours to completely extinguish.
The main portion of the building was a steep pitched roof that was originally constructed in 1899 as a house and had undergone multiple renovations and alterations. In the 1990s, additions were added to three sides of the house creating various roof structures and ceiling spaces.
The fire was largely contained to the roof structure with little direct fire damage below. However, in order to extinguish the difficult fire, much water was used resulting in water damage to the main floor and lower level businesses. Crews were able to work with the building owner and businesses to remove many belongings and materials.
Suspected cause of the fire: Although the fire investigation is not yet complete, evidence points to the cause of the fire being faulty electrical equipment starting near the ground level of the second floor and traveling to the attic spaces undetected within a stucco encased wall near the center of the building.
“These were serious fires and we are all so fortunate there were no injuries or worse,” said MacCharles.
“I can also say that these fires were not connected and are not considered suspicious”.
MacCharles would like to remind the public about the importance of ensuring smoke alarms are installed in homes on every level and that they are tested regularly to ensure they are working properly – smoke alarms save lives.
Nelson Fire Rescue photo shows a photo taken from over top the roof at the Josephine Street commercial building. — Nelson Fire Rescue photo
The commercial building fire burned through the roof leaving considerable damage to the building. — Nelson Fire Rescue photo
The restaurant in the Josephine Street commercial building suffered considerable water damage. — Nelson Fire Rescue photo
Shirts continue to hang in the now closed dry cleaning business on Victoria Street after the Josephine Street commercial building fire. — Nelson Fire Rescue photo
