GUELPH-ERAMOSA – A fire on the Eramosa-Erin Townline on Dec. 2 sent three people to hospital with serious burn injuries.
At least one of them was airlifted to Sunnybrook Hospital, said Guelph-Eramosa deputy fire chief Jim Petrik.
The structure fire, on the Eramosa-Erin Townline just north of Highway 7, was called in to the Rockwood fire station at around 5pm on Dec. 2. “It was in a detached garage and I believe the person was doing some work on a vehicle when there was an explosion and resultant fire,” Petrik said.
With the help of firefighters from Halton Region and tanker support from the Hillsburgh and Erin fire stations, the fire was under control in 45 minutes and out in two hours, Petrik said.
Though the 20-foot by 20-foot garage was completely destroyed, firefighters were able to protect surrounding buildings, including a residence, despite additional challenges. “We had vehicles on fire that were right adjacent to the building that were leaking gas, so we had some issues associated with that,” he said. He added outbuildings were also very close to the garage.
Petrik said he isn’t sure what caused the fire, which resulted in at least $150,000 in damages.
The Ontario Fire Marshal attended the scene on Dec. 3 and 4, with the assistance of the Guelph-Eramosa fire department, he added.
“The fire marshal was called due to the fact that there was an explosion and that there were serious injuries involved,” said Petrik.
