White Rock firefighters were kept busy battling two separate blazes in White Rock on Sunday (Aug. 31), the first a brush fire on a waterfront hillside, and the other, at an outbuilding on a private property near Peace Arch Hospital.
B.C. Wildfire Service was called in to help via helicopter with the brush fire, due to the steep terrain at its location, burning between the railroad tracks and the homes on Marine Drive, west of Nichol Road – while White Rock Fire Rescue crews fought it from the ground.
The brush fire was reported shortly after 10 a.m., White Rock Fire Chief Brad Davie said Monday (Sept. 1).
"(Firefighters on scene) quickly identified that this was a very difficult terrain encroaching on three houses up on Marine Drive, so they took a defensive position on the fire from up above," he said, praising B.C. Wildfire Service for their support."We were very fortunate for their ability to respond, and their quick response."
As fire crews started to clean up that fire, they were called away to a different, structure fire in the 15400-block of Russell Avenue, close to Peace Arch Hospital, Davie noted, where Surrey RCMP Provisional Support Unit officers helped contain the scene and keep residents safe.
The second fire was at a single-family residence, in an outbuilding on the property, Davie said.
"It was a shed and the shed — which was next to a very tall, very old tree — became ignited, and it was next to shrubs. When (fire crews) arrived, two houses (nearby) were being threatened," and those homeowners had garden hoses out to try to help stop the flames from spreading, Davie noted.
While the shed was a loss, all nearby houses were saved, and no injuries were reported in either fire.
"Everybody was able to stay home and sleep in their house last night, so we considered that a success," Davie said.
On social media, White Rock residents lauded the response of fire crews.
"Thanks to the quick action of White Rock Fire and local authorities, it was under control fast," Shelby Ann Gordon posted on Facebook. "No evacuations were needed, and families stayed safe. Feeling very grateful tonight for the people who keep our community protected."
"All hail these pro firefighters and helicopter pilots. Wow!" posted another resident going by the name Larry At Large.
"Scary stuff and a massive potential for spread with the number of trees in the area," wrote Heinz Kreutz.
The causes of both fires are still under investigation.
— with files from Peace Arch News staff
