A grass fire that spread to a quonset hut has the the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) reminding residents of the MD of Bonnyville it’s fire permit season.
On Thursday, April 19, at approximately 2:50 p.m. emergency crews responded to a fire at a MD of Bonnyville spray foam insulation business, after a grass fire got out of control on Hwy. 660 west of Hwy. 41.
“The building is a total loss,” said BRFA fire chief Brian McEvoy. “The cause of the fire was unsafe burning of grass.”
According to McEvoy, the fire spread from the grass up the side of the building, got into the insulation of the quonset hut, and “away it went.”
Because of the materials housed inside of the structure, the smoke was considered “quite toxic.”
“It’s a spray foam insulation company, so the toxicity of the smoke was quite heavy,” described McEvoy.
Due to wind conditions, the smoke wasn’t directed anywhere that would be an issue to residents, he added.
With this in mind, McEvoy wants to remind residents of the MD they’re required to obtain a burn permit before starting any outdoor fires.
“This is just a reminder to everybody that any fires this time of year, including grass burning, require permits from the MD of Bonnyville,” he said.
No injuries were a direct result of the fire, however the quonset hut was destroyed.
