HomeMy WebLinkAboutFD-9-89 TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
REPORT f �`�
File # I �
Res. #
By-Law #
MEETING: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
DATE: MAY 15, 1989
REPORT #: FD 9-89 FILE #: 10.12.6
SUBJECT: BROOKDALE FIRE
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RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully recommended:
THAT Fire Department Report FD 9-89 be received.
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BACKGROUND AND COMMENTS
On April 22, 1989 at 2018 hours, a call was received advising that a motorist,
driving on Highway 401 west bound, noticed what was believed to be smoke coming
from the Brookdale Nursery building on Baseline Road, Bowmanville. Station #1
in Bowmanville was dispatched to the scene and on their arrival found
smoke coming from the area of the shipping doors on the north side of the main
building. I arrived shortly after the first unit and upon further investiga-
tion found the entire first floor of the main building was fully involved with
fire.
The fire rapidly spread from the main building to the west, involving a workshop
area, then through a storage building to the north. Every attempt was made to
cut the fire off at various points of the building, but without success. Fire
units were on the scene until 1600 hours, Sunday, April 23, 1989 to complete
extinguishment and overhaul.
The early investigation, which took place during the fire, led us to believe
that this fire was of a suspicious nature. After further investigation, it was
found that the heating system had not been functional at this location for a
substantial period of time, and the hydro had been turned off in September of
1988. The building had been empty for almost a year and all equipment had been
removed. It was decided, at this point, that an investigator from the Ontario
Fire Marshal's Office and the Durham Regional Police Arson Squad should be
notified.
1. Continued. . . . .
FD 9-89 -- 2 -
The investigation to determine the origin and cause began on Sunday, April 23,
1989 at 0800 hours, with the arrival of the O.F.M. Investigator, Dave
Marcellus, and continued until 1500 hours that day. It was resumed on Monday,
April 24, 1989 at 0800 hours and was completed at 1430 hours that afternoon. By
this time, it had been determined that this fire was definitely of an
incendiary nature, had been originally set in the main storeroom and had spread
to the remainder of the structure. Samples of material, found at the site of
the origin of the fire, have been sent to the forensic laboratory in Toronto,
to determine what was used to start and assist the fire.
Follow up investigations, including interviewing of witnesses, will be carried
out by the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Durham Regional Police Arson
Investigators.
The fire resulted in a loss of $500,000 to the building, which was not insured.
The cost to the Fire Department for this incident is approximately $4,600 for
wages for part-time personnel, $200 for fuel for Fire Department vehicles,
$1,200 for damaged equipment (hose) and $650.00 for repairs to Aerial #1 (gear
housing) , for a total amount of $6,650.00.
At the height of the fire, units from Station #1 and Station #4 were on the
scene, as well as 30 firefighters. Pumper #12 was brought in from Station #3
to stand by at Station #1, while Station #11s units were tied up at the fire
scene.
Results from the forensic tests and investigations will be forthcoming within
eight to twelve weeks.
Respectfully submitted, Recommended for presentation
to Committee
. Creighton, 4ChiefA Kotseff,
Acting Fire Chief. strati ve Officer.
MC/sr
May 3, 1989.
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