Photo courtesy Wembley Fire Department Facebook

By Erika Rolling

Fire

Grass fire in Wembley at Sunset Park damages boardwalk

May 19, 2022 | 3:39 PM

On Tuesday May 17, 2022, the Wembley Fire Department responded to a grass fire at Sunset Park.

Wembley Fire Chief Matthew Smith was driving on duty in his marked vehicle when a few young children flagged him down about the grass fire in the cattails.

“I said thank you to the kids, told them to get out of the area and avoid the area because of firetrucks coming, and I utilized my portable radio to initiate through dispatch a proper response for an outside fire.”

Smith says the fire was mostly in the cattails on Sunset Lake.

“It was all around our wooden gazebo and the boardwalk and it ended up causing some structural damage to the wood.”

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

The boardwalk at Sunset Park has been closed and put out of service due to the damage.

Winds were gusting heavily on Tuesday in the area according to Smith, who said it was quickly picking up in the direction towards more structures and a wooded area.

The fire department was able to extinguish the flames around the lake and boardwalk.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation “but it’s believed that it was deliberately set.” Smith says.

“Fire is tool, not a toy. Have that conversation with yourself, your friends and family and children to be careful.”