There was a fire during the morning of Saturday, January 17, at a business warehouse on Highway 34 between Greenlane Road and Pattee Road in Champlain Township.
According to Champlain Township Director of Fire Services Ghislain Pigeon, at 6:05 am on Saturday, firefighters from Vankleek Hill and L’Orignal responded to the site. A recreational trailer was on fire and flames had extended to a 53-foot enclosed transport trailer, and to the main building through a garage door. The fire was rapidly brought under control; the Hawkesbury ladder truck was brought to the scene to assist in gaining access to the higher portions of the building. Two additional tankers were also called from East Hawkesbury and The Nation Municipality.
Pigeon said the multiple business tenants of the building were able to gain access to shops shortly after operations concluded. Two units had heavy smoke and water damages, and the remaining units had minor to no damages.
The fire which appears to be accidental remains under investigation.
Pigeon reminded building owners to keep any combustibles, including trailers and dumpsters at least ten feet from buildings.
Due to the fire on Highway 34, firefighters were drawing water from a hydrant on McGill Street in Hawkesbury to support emergency response efforts.
Champlain Township announced that as a result, residents of Vankleek Hill may have experienced temporarily brown or discoloured water.
This condition is caused by changes in water flow within the system and does not pose a health risk.
