The long weekend wasn’t uneventful for the fire department.
Estevan Fire Rescue Service members were called out to an accident at Rafferty Dam at about 4 p.m. on Feb 14. A propane tank caught on fire south of Hitchcock at the reservoir. Fire crews responded immediately, but the call was quickly updated as the fire was extinguished.
"Crews continued to respond in a non-emergent mode just to ensure that the fire was indeed extinguished," said Estevan Fire Chief Dale Feser.
"What we found was that the exterior heater has fallen over and started on fire, and the residual propane had burned off and caused minimal damage to the structure."
A lot of people enjoy ice fishing these days, and Feser asked them to remember the basic safety tips while using secondary heater appliances.
"You want to observe the manufacturer's recommendations and clearance distances, especially with the propane-fed and the wood-fired appliances.
"Carbon monoxide (CO) detection device is a good idea inside the ice fishing shack. If it's not properly vented, carbon monoxide build-up will occur."
Feser added that just recently two people died in Manitoba as a result of CO poisoning which happened in their fishing shack.
"Always ensure that appliances are working properly; that you are observing the clearance distance of one metre or three feet; that no accidental fires occur; and that there is carbon monoxide detection inside the ice fishing shack.”
The fire department also received several calls in regards to vents icing up this week. Feser reminded the public to be very careful if they have to go up on the roof to free their vents or call a local tree service company that is providing that service.
