Quick response, nearby water supply help contain Teepee Creek home fire

Jan 1, 2021 | 11:17 PM

The County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service is crediting a quick response and a water standpipe and dugout from a nearby business for helping bring a house fire along Highway 674 near Teepee Creek under control New Year’s Day.

Crews from Teepee Creek, Bezanson, Sexsmith, Clairmont, Wembley and Dunes responded to the fire at approximately 6:08 p.m. on January 1.

Heavy fire was coming from the roof of the home upon arrival.

Crews say a firefighting dry standpipe and dug out at Matco Manufacturing, which is located nearby the scene of the fire near Range Road 42, provided “an invaluable water supply for this fire”.

With that water supply, three Regional Fire Service water tenders were able to quickly shuttle the needed water from there to the home.

Regional Fire Service Deputy Chief Jason Nesbitt says this is the second time in less than a year that the dry standpipe fill site at Matco has been used to provide water for a structure fire in the area.

“The quick response of several Regional Fire Service Stations and this water source close by enabled firefighters to save many contents of the home from the fire” said Nesbitt.

Crews remain on scene while they work to put out hot spots. Drivers are asked to use caution in the area, as water is being pumped from tanks on the highway down the driveway to apparatus in the yard.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and no injuries have been reported from the blaze.

by Shaun Penner