Structure fire in McBride occurs during Telus outage

Members of the McBride District Fire Department doused the scene on Museum Road for several hours after the visible flames had been extinguished. /Andrea Arnold

By Andrea Arnold

A fire broke out at a property on Museum Road around noon on Tuesday April 15th. Neighbours reportedly attempted to call 9-1-1, but due to the widespread Telus outage, were unable to use cell phones or computers to call for help.

One neighbour told The Goat she went straight to the police station but was unable to reach an officer. Her son suggested the library landline. The pair said they rushed to the library where they were successful in reaching the operator.

Another neighbour hurried to McBride Senior Secondary School where she too called for help.

Corporal Kelly Barrie with the McBride RCMP detachment said RCMP were alerted to the fire by an off duty paramedic as well as a BC Hydro staff member who had been at the property approximately 10 minutes prior. The two individuals were concerned the occupant was still inside. Barrie said the BC Hydro employee reached 9-1-1 using the detachment landline. 

 “When police arrived on scene they were relieved to find the occupant safe and he had sustained no injuries,” said Barrie. “He was taken to the hospital as a precaution and put in touch with Victim Services and Emergency Services upon leaving the hospital.”

Firefighters with the McBride District Volunteer Fire Department had to carefully navigate charred debris as they made their way around, hitting hotspots when they saw smoke. After a few minutes of a high pressure shower, the flow was stopped and firefighters waited to see if more smoke would surface. If it did, more water was applied. The process repeated until embers were extinguished. /Andrea Arnold

The fire consumed one large structure-a shop — which was reportedly being used as a dwelling — as well as some items that were being stored nearby. 

A Goat reporter on the scene noted that, although it was a gusty day, the wind seemed to have worked with the firefighters, moving the flames away from the other structures on the property and travelling in a focused direction.

The McBride District Volunteer Fire Department (MCFD) remained on scene to ensure the embers were cold and wet before returning to the station. The Goat reached out to the MCFD, who declined to provide a comment on the incident and its potential cause.

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