THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay Fire Rescue were out on a cold morning. Fire engulfed an empty apartment building on the south side of the city. This was reportedly the third fire at the building in recent years.

Sources report that no one was in the building. The building was all boarded up with plywood. The building located on MacKenzie Street, near Cummings has been under renovation since the last fire.

The early morning fire brought police and fire crews out into the minus 26c temperatures. Smoke mixed with steam came off the scene of the fire. The street was blocked off by Thunder Bay Police.

Thunder Bay Fire Rescue 

Thunder Bay Fire Rescue provide the City and outlying region with a highly trained emergency service capable of handling a range of emergencies and hazardous situations.

On cold mornings, fire fighters and police in our community demonstrate the best of what both services offer our community.

Hazards during cold weather for Fire Fighters

Fire fighting in Canada state, “Once on scene, the IC must take into account seasonal hindrances to access and placement of apparatus. Do snow banks block access? Is there ice on the stairs? Are fire hydrants accessible? Are there hidden hazards under the snow?  

“Water on the ground during cold-weather operations will create an increased potential for slips and falls. Be aware that some of the water applied to a burning structure may freeze on the building. As more and more water is applied, ice will cause additional weight and stress on structures, increasing the potential for collapse. 

“Using SCBA during extreme cold-weather operations may cause some safety concerns. Although it is important in any situation that BAs are properly checked and maintained, certainly a little more care should be taken in winter months. It wouldn’t hurt to dedicate a practice night for emergency procedures in the case of BA failure”.