Busy few days for Nelson first responders
By Nelson Daily Staff
Fires, a water rescue, an elderly female dealing with a cardiac arrest along with a traffic accident kept first responders busy over the past few days Nelson Fire Rescue said in a media release Wednesday.
“We have seen some very serious incidents take place over the past day or so,” said Nelson Fire Chief Len MacCharles.
“Along with a number of medical first responder incidents and motor vehicle collisions, we have had two serious fires and a water rescue take place in 24 hours,” MacCharles added.
“Fortunately, there were no serious injuries or fatalities from the fires and water rescue.”
Water rescue of kayaker on Kootenay Lake
Monday (June 8), Nelson Fire Rescue along with Nelson Police responded to a call of a capsized kayaker on Kootenay Lake.
An elderly man was seen in the water and in distress.
The Police/Fire Rescue boat responded to the kayaker in the water near Save-On Foods, who was found clinging to the mooring buoy of a sailboat.
Nelson Fire Rescue said the man was cold and shaken. The kayaker was helped into the boat and taken ashore for further assessment by BC Ambulance Service members.
Nelson Fire Rescue responds to 9-1-1 call
Later Monday, Nelson Fire Rescue was called to assist BC Ambulance to a health call.
Nelson Fire Rescue said call came in for an elderly woman in cardiac arrest.
Chatham Street fire destroys house
Nelson Fire Rescue responded Tuesday at 7:34 a.m. with more than 20 firefighters to a structure fire and 310 Chatham Street.
The fire was highly visible to morning commuters, progressed rapidly.
“On arrival, crews went into immediate defensive mode to protect the two adjacent homes,” Nelson Fire Rescue said.
“Fire spread was igniting siding, gable shingles, and soffits of the closely spaced houses.
“The second arriving Engine performed an aggressive interior attack on the downwind structure as smoke billowed out of the attic through ridge-cap and gable vents.”
Nelson Fire Rescue said firefighters accessed the attic from the second floor of the most threatened home to cool and stop fire growth with quick action by the first and second arriving engines preventing the loss of the two adjacent homes.
“Due to the advanced state of the primary fire, the home at 310 Chatham Street suffered a complete loss,” Nelson Fire Rescue said.
Two-vehicle collision at Cedar and Front
Nelson Fire Rescue said at 11:34 a.m., while still extinguishing the primary fire at 310 Chatham Street, firefighters responded with Nelson Police and BC Ambulance Service to a two-car collision at Front and Cedar Streets.
Nelson Fire Rescue said the collision resulted in no injuries, but significantly damaged the two vehicles involved and slowed traffic at this busy intersection.
Nelson Fire Rescue responds to Ward Street fire
Nelson Fire Rescue said while still cleaning and refitting equipment from the morning fire, Fire Dispatch received several 911 calls at 3:49 p.m. for an apartment fire at 564 Ward Street.
Nelson Fire Rescue said another interior attack stopped a fire that had originated in a bathroom and was beginning to spread to the living room of the second floor apartment.
“It is important to note that emergency response involves a lot of resources from various agencies,” said MacCharles.
“We work closely with Nelson Police, Public Works, BC Ambulance Service, Nelson Hydro, Fortis Gas, towing companies and others.
“These collaborative relationships made a significant difference during these incidents.”
Flames from the fire in the 300 block of Chatham Street could be seen by morning commuters from throughout Nelson. — Nelson Fire Rescue photo
