UPDATED: Early morning fire on Baker Street remains under investigation
Nelson Fire Rescue firefighters spend most of the day mopping up after a containing a fire in a Baker Street building early Sunday morning.
The call came in at 7:53 a.m. that smoke was showing from a downtown business at 444 Baker Street.
Both on duty members responded immediately with all available off-duty members responding from home. In total 10 firefighters responded to the call.
“The first arriving crew’s objective was to conduct a primary life safety search and fire control,” said NFR assistant chief Michael Daloise, adding the first crew saw black smoke flowing out of a third floor window.
“Crews encountered dense smoke and a deep seated fire burning in the unoccupied third floor office.”
Daloise said firefighters searched neighbouring buildings to see if the fire was spreading, which did not occur.
Nelson Hydro attended to ensure no electrical hazards would impede fire suppression activities nor endanger those at the scene.
Daloise said by 9 a.m. the fire was under control and crews were conducting salvage and overhaul in the building and ensuring there were no “hot-spots” left.
He said tarps were used to protect the businesses below the fire floor and water was removed using vacuums, mops and buckets to attempt to limit the amount of damage.
“The fire originated in the third floor with fire damage contained to the room of origin,” Daloise said.
“There is heat, smoke and water damage on the third floor. A small amount of water damage was sustained by the businesses below.”
BC Ambulance attended as a routine procedure to monitor the health of the firefighters.
Daloise said as well as the fire crew, two fire engines and two utility vehicles were used to fight the fire.
He said no injuries were reported as a result of this incident but damage is estimated at $75,000.
“The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Nelson Fire Rescue and the Nelson Police Department,” he said.
Nelson Police Department and Nelson Public Works also attended the scene.
“Nelson Fire Rescue Services would also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that with the cooler weather approaching to ensure that they have their heating appliances serviced,” Daloise said.
Nelson Fire Rescue extinguishes fire on 400 Block Baker Street Sunday morning
Nelson Fire Rescue responded to a fire in the 400 Block of Baker Street Sunday morning.
Firefighting crews were called to the downtown location just before 8 a.m.
The fire was located in the office on the third floor of the building.
The fire was quickly extinguished with firefighters spending time cleaning up the water damage.
No one was in the building at the time of the fire.
Nine members of Nelson Fire Rescue responded to the fire with most of the department equipment.
The Nelson Daily will update this story once more information is released by Nelson Fire Rescue.