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Fire crews kept busy with collisions and alarms

Estevan Fire Rescue Service Members were kept extremely busy this week with multiple calls for alarms and collisions, according to Fire Chief Dale Feser. “On Monday morning at approximately 8 a.m.
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Estevan Fire Rescue Service Members were kept extremely busy this week with multiple calls for alarms and collisions, according to Fire Chief Dale Feser.

“On Monday morning at approximately 8 a.m. fire crews were dispatched to a motor vehicle fire on the highway 39 bypass on the easy side of the city,” said Feser.

“When crews arrived on scene it was found that the vehicle had already self extinguished as it had started on fire the previous night, and crews that were working at the new co-op bulk station had alerted the fire department. The matter is still under investigation and being treated as a suspicious fire.”

While attending to the first motor vehicle fire, crews were alerted to a second motor vehicle fire on the east side industrial area of the city.

“Crews arrived on scene to find the vehicle engulfed in flames in the passenger compartment of the vehicle,” said Feser.

“Crews were able to get in there and extinguish the fire before there was any extension to adjacent vehicles or the commercial occupancy that the vehicle was parked in front of. The cause of the second fire was deemed as electrical wiring issues, the two fires were not connected in any way, shape, or form.”

On Sept. 11 at 3 p.m. crews responded to a two-vehicle collision with injuries at the intersection of 13th Avenue and Sixth Street.

“When crews arrived on scene they found the two vehicles that were involved. Both had cleared the intersection, we did assist with treatment and assessment of the patient,” said Feser.

“EMS arrived on scene and transported one female driver to St. Joseph’s Hospital for further treatment. Fire crews remained on scene to clear debris so traffic could resume as normal.

Crews responded to a two-vehicle collision at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 12, at the intersection of Fourth Street and Fourth Avenue. No injuries were reported as a result of the collision.

“There was significant damage to one vehicle, and fluids leaking, so crews isolated the vehicle to ensure there were no other ignition sources present and dealt with the fluid leaks as a result. We then assisted the towing company with removing the vehicle and traffic control.”

On the morning of Sept. 13, at approximately 12:30 a.m., crews responded to a commercial fire alarm west of the city.

“An electrical fire had occurred at this particular location … crews gained access to the building and thankfully the fire had self extinguished,” said Feser.

“It was found to be an arc flash that had taken place … however crews did encounter some medium smoke in the area in the lower levels, so they spent time isolating power as well as ejecting the smoke from the commercial occupancy.

The fire alarm panel was reset, as we were able to get a hold of some representatives from the company … and turned the scene over to them to contact electrical contractors to fix the issue that had caused the fire.”

Crews were alerted to an electrical hazard on Sept. 16 at 6:30 a.m., involving a power line to a home in south central Estevan.

“Once crews arrived on scene we found a dropped service line to the single family home was compromised. We’re unsure at this time if the cause was wind, but there were broken wires found. Fortunately we were able to make sure the scene was safe,” said Feser.

“SaskPower did attend the scene, we did another assessment along with them and we turned the scene over to them so they could fix the electrical issue and take care of the electrical hazard that was occurring.”

Later that day at noon, crews were alerted to a carbon monoxide alarm also in the south central area of the city.

“Crews arrived on scene and found minor carbon monoxide levels within the lower parking area, however ventilation had occurred and was quickly brought down to a manageable level,” said Feser.

“It appeared to be a case of someone running their vehicle for an extended period of time and the carbon monoxide was able to migrate to the suite. So a gentle reminder, for underground parking, you definitely don’t want to have your vehicle running for extended periods of time or carbon monoxide has the potential to migrate to living areas.”

Shortly after attending to the call for carbon monoxide crews were alerted to a natural gas line breach in southwest Estevan.

“Crews arrived on scene to find that a gas line rupture had occurred as a result of underground trenching,” said Feser.

“After further assessment it was found that it was a secondary line that was going to a garage, so crews were able to quickly mitigate it by manipulating a valve. A private contractor was later called in to make the repairs on the private residence.”

Feser also noted that with the colder weather there are often increased reports of carbon monoxide, and warned members of the community to ensure they have carbon monoxide monitors present within their residences.