SJRFD Kept Busy With Two Major Fires, No Injuries Reported

The St. John’s Regional Fire Department was kept busy this morning battling two major fires in the capital city region.

The first occurred this morning on Lime Street where one home was destroyed and another multi-unit building was heavily damaged by smoke and flame.

Deputy Fire Chief Roger Hounsell says firefighters were met with heavy flame when they arrived on the scene. There were no injuries.

Meanwhile, firefighters knocked down a fire at Akita Equipment on the Trans Canada near Paddy’s Pond.

(Submitted Photo)

Staff safely evacuated the building when the fire started shortly after 11:00 a.m.

Equipment was used to tear down the front of the building to get at the seat of the fire.

Deputy Fire Chief Roger Hounsell says it’s been a very busy day for their crews.

Roger Hounsell SJRFD – VOCM Photo

“We’ve had a very busy morning” he told reporters. “Hats off to all our crews, they’ve done an outstanding job at both locations.” He says they’ve now gained the upper hand on both the downtown and the Akita Equipment fires.

The causes of both fires are now under investigation.

Business Owner Thankful For Quick Response

The owner of Akita Equipment is waiting on the city to get approval to get the power back up and running following this morning’s fire on the TCH.

Chris Howlett says the fire was contained to the area they call the show room which is used primarily for storage, but the warehouse and offices are untouched.

He says business continues and he has equipment and drivers across the country who are trying to reach them and they’re unable to get the computer system and phones back up without power. “Now we’re just trying to get ahold of someone at the city to get approval to get the power back on” he told VOCM News this afternoon. “I really got to get power back ASAP.”

Howlett is thankful the damage was contained and that no one was hurt. He thanked the St. John’s Regional Fire Department and others who helped to knock down the blaze.