Major Fire Lights up the NIght Sky

At 9:28 pm, on October 26, Sooke pagers were activated for a reported structure fire. First on scene, I observed a large, two storey barn at the Cherry Lane Equine Centre heavily involved in fire. Several people were on site, quickly moving horses away from the rapidly burning structure. Also seen were 3 or 4 people existing the top floor carrying objects in their hands. Later it was determined these young people had seen the fire while passing by, new of the barn and had rushed in to rescue a family of cats. (Note the stairs in the photo. This is where minutes earlier several people were seen existing with armloads of cats)

With the fire rapidly spreading and an all clear for anyone or animals in the building, I made the quick determination that this would be a defensive fire. Having been told there were upwards of 2000 bales of hay inside, it would not be possible to send firefighters inside. First arriving was Engine 2 with 3 firefighters. This team grabbed the hydrant at Sooke and Ludlow and laid in approximately 700 feet of 4 inch hose to reach the fire. Using a 2 1/2 inch hand line, the crew in the photo worked the B side of the structure. With assistance from Squad 2, the deck gun was also put into operation. Next arriving Engine 1 and Ladder 1 moved in. Ladder 1 set up for aerial master stream operations directly behind Engine 2. Engine 1 laid in an additional 2 1/2 line from the hydrant to supply additional water. Two more handlines were deployed, one to the A side and one on the D side. With all of the lines flowing and more water required, another water source was required. The decision to shut down Sooke Road was made and Engine 1 laid in another 4 inch supply line from the hydrant at the Shell station. Now flowing approximately 2000 gallons a minute, the water proved to be no match for the fire and the building was rapidly consumed despite the best efforts of all firefighters. An excavator was brought in to bring the remains of the building down and to access the hundreds of burning hay bales. Crews finally cleared the scene at 02:30 hours and left the station just after 3:00 am. The following morning, crews returned to the scene to extinguish the many hot spots still burning within the hay. A total of 24 firefighters manning 3 master streams, 1 - 2 1/2" and 2 - 1 3/4" lines proved no match for this massive fire. Crews were successful in keeping the fire from spreading and protecting exposures. Insurance investigators were on scene that afternoon. Suspected causes include the possibility of spontaneous combustion in a damp bale of hay or an electrical problem, however due to the extent of damage, the actual cause may prove difficult to determine.

For additional photos, check out Derek Lewers website at www.datastorms.com/barnfire1