The flag flew at half mast here on March 22, as councillors honoured firefighters who gave their lives on March 17 in a store fire in downtown Listowel.
Although the tragedy happened in a neighbouring community, it is an event that has hit home locally as well.
At the start of the Tuesday night meeting, Minto Mayor George Bridge asked councillors and those in the audience “to take a moment of silence to remember and reflect on the tragedy in our neighbouring community last week.”
Bridge later noted that Minto firefighters from Palmerston and Harriston were also on the scene in Listowel that day to offer some relief to the North Perth Fire Department.
He pointed out that the Minto fire department was on call.
He said that he was informed by Minto Fire Chief Chris Harrow that the local firefighters stayed on at the scene on the morning following the March 17 fire to give North Perth firefighters some relief.
Bridge added that Harrow has been quite involved to ensure there is proper capacity as needed in North Perth.
The funeral for Raymond Walter and Ken Rea was slated for March 24 at the Listowel arena.
Bridge left a message with North Perth Mayor Julie Behrns offering “whatever we can to help.”
He added, “We’ll also need to make sure our guys get the proper debriefing because the shock will come.”
