Just before 3:00 a.m. Friday morning, a resident called in a structure fire in a commercial building in Bothwell.
Firefighters arrived to find the buildings engulfed in flame fueled by an internal gas main.
Although the fire was brought under control, it severely damaged three buildings on Main Street including a restaurant, general store, and post office.
“For me and my family here on this, on this street, and just huge loss for the business owners, their whole past years and future years are lying in rubble now,” said Bothwell resident Jay Schnekenburger, who works at the post office.
Utility workers dug up the alley to shut off the gas while firefighters from four stations prevented the flames from spreading.
Fire crews did need to partially demolish the structures to fully extinguish hotspots. Several roads in the area were closed off while emergency crews fought the fire.
“Once again we see the determination of our local firefighters who attend emergencies around the clock to protect their community, their families and neighbours,” said Fire Chief Chris Case. “This was a huge team effort from a large number of agencies coming to deal with the danger and support those affected and is testimony to the dedication of all our teams.”
While devastating for the community, there’s also widespread acknowledgment that losses could have been far greater had it not been for the fast actions of volunteer firefighters.
The town’s firehall is located just behind the buildings that burned—and firefighters were on scene just six minutes after the 911 call.
“They did a wonderful job. And they were out here in the cold and banding together,” said Schnekenburger. “We wouldn’t be much without them. They’re a huge, huge, important part to small towns.”
Recently, residents of the town were worried they might lose the fire hall.
Municipal budget deliberations included a councillor’s motion to find 7.5 per cent budget savings including at Chatham-Kent fire and rescu. However, in the end the cut was not approved.
At this time, it’s been determined that the fire was accidental. There are no reported injuries.
No estimated damage value has been determined.
