Fire Destroys Shinimicas Fire Department

Shinimicas lost its fire department last night as fire destroyed the facility along Highway Six.

The blaze was sighted about 8:30 last evening when a neighbour saw heavy smoke and found a truck inside ablaze. By the time Shinimicas firefighters arrived, the smoke and heat were too intense to allow them access to get their gear or save any trucks or equipment.

Five area fire departments were called in from Truemanville, Leicester, Oxford, Pugwash, and Tidnish Bridge, followed by a second mutual aid call to Amherst, Spring Hill, and Collingwood.

While the walls are still standing, the fire hall will have to be demolished. The three trucks and most of the department’s equipment were lost. All that remained was a small pile of charred gear like air bottles and other smaller pieces of equipment dragged from the blaze. It may also be written off as unserviceable.

Local fire-fighters were called again in the wee hours of the morning to extinguish hot spots.

Officials have no leads on the cause but the Fire Marshall is expected to begin an investigation today.

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