A construction trailer on the grounds of Carman Collegiate was destroyed by fire on Dec. 9, prompting the evacuation of all students and staff.
The Carman-Dufferin Fire Department responded to a construction trailer fire at Carman Collegiate on Dec. 9. Staff and Students evacuated to Canadian Reformed Church as firefighters attended the scene
The Carman-Dufferin Fire Department (CDFD) said crews were called to the school at about 11:08 a.m. after reports of a structure fire. Seventeen CDFD members arrived on scene at 11:16 a.m. and they found a construction trailer in the northwest corner of the property.
“Upon arrival the trailer was fully engulfed in flames coming out of the roof and the sides, thick black smoke coming from all sides as well,” CDFD fire chief, Chris Lemky said. “Crews were able to establish water flow within one minute of arrival and were very quickly able to get the fire under control.”
School officials evacuated the building and relocated everyone across the street to the Canadian Reformed Church, where all students and staff were accounted for. Principal Mary Reimer said their alarms were triggered after smoke entered their ventilation system. The whole evacuation process took 16 minutes.
“We have a robust school emergency preparedness plan based on our divisional template. I’m extraordinarily proud of staff and students for their execution of our plan. Prairie Rose School Division Superintendent, Kevin Clace, and Facilities Supervisor, Albert Jubinville, were on site to support the situation within five minutes,” Reimer reported. “It was reassuring that everyone involved responded so quickly and according to plan.”
Firefighters checked the school’s roof and completed a search of the building to ensure no fire had spread inside. “There was a small concern that the fire could spread to the school, fortunately the wind was from the southeast and was blowing the heat and embers away from the school,” Lemky added. “In this case, the wind was in our favour as it was keeping heat, embers and smoke from going towards the school. CDFD sent members onto the roof to ensure no fire spread. CDFD also performed a secondary sweep of the school to ensure no fire or smoke present inside and also to ensure all occupants had been evacuated.”
Students were allowed to return once firefighters confirmed the building was safe and began overhaul of the trailer.
Reimer said staff and students practice fire drills and review emergency procedures on a monthly basis, ensuring that situations are handled appropriately and effectively. “As a part of our process we always do attendance and head counts to ensure that all students and staff are safe. This information is immediately relayed to the emergency responders upon their arrival,” she added.
Lemky explained their overhaul process includes thoroughly searching the area to ensure the fire is fully extinguished–– a task firefighters performs for all types of fires.
He reported the heavy smoke didn’t affect the community too negatively, and CDFD monitored nearby properties to ensure no embers or heat could cause secondary fires.
In total, crews remained on scene for just under two hours and no injuries were reported. Lemky noted while the extent of the damage is too difficult to determine the cause, they suspected part of the trailer was used as a lunchroom where tool batteries were being charged and other electrical utilities were being used. The estimated loss of the trailer and its contents is around $45,000 and a follow-up investigation will be arranged by the construction company and their insurance investigator if required.
“CDFD would like to remind everyone that when using battery chargers to always use a power bar, inspect extension cords, and do not leave batteries in chargers unattended for long periods of time,” Lemky said.
“The CDFD would also like to recognize and commend the staff and students at the Collegiate for their swift response in getting everyone evacuated and moved to a secondary location.”
Reimer thanks the CDFD and the community on behalf of Carman Collegiate.
“As a school, we focus on being a good community member and altruism. These qualities were beautifully demonstrated by the kindness of the Canadian Reformed Church. We wish to extend a huge thank you to the church for graciously opening their doors to us.”
PRSD superintendent, Kevin Clace, commends the staff and students for their, “exceptional response” to the fire.
“I’m very proud of the professionalism of the staff and the responsiveness of students in exercising their emergency plan and ensuring everyone’s safety,” he shared. “I also want to thank the emergency responders –– many of whom are volunteers –– for their dedication and professionalism in responding to the fire on the Carman Collegiate property.”
