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West end explosion tests slimmer fire service (4 photos)

A fire tonight in the West End tested the city's slimmer complement of on-duty firefighters — as result of a recent reorganization of fire services.

A fire tonight in the West End tested the city's slimmer complement of on-duty firefighters — as result of a recent reorganization of fire services.

Platoon Chief Joe May said all 13 available firefighters attended a fully-involved blaze at Triple M Metals on Yates Avenue this evening.

May said that company shreds automobiles as part of their metal scrapping business.

“One of the automobiles — when they were putting it through they assume there was still a gas tank — it exploded,” said May.

He said the fire then spread to two other areas through the company's conveyor belt system.

The fire was successfully brought under control by the firefighters before 8 p.m., with one crew staying behind to look for hot spots.

With all on-duty firefighters attending the one scene, a backup crew of 4 were called in on overtime to man a backup pumper truck.

“Which is fortunate because we had an alarm call at the same time at Station Mall. They had a busted sprinkler head down there,” said May.

Until recently the Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services were operating with 17 on duty at any time.

The complement of on-duty firefighters was reduced to 14 and crews of 3 firefighters per truck were introduced as part of Fire Chief Mike Figliola’s restructuring of the service.

One of those 14 firefighters operates as a communications officer.

At last Monday’s city council meeting, Figliola stated Calgary was also moving toward a 3-firefighters per truck model.

The same day, Calgary’s city council — supported by Calgary’s fire chief — struck down the idea of reducing the amount of firefighters per truck from 4 to 3.

Previous SooToday coverage of this story:

(PHOTO: Firefighters at scene of a full-involved fire tonight on Yates Avenue in the city's west end. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday)


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Kenneth Armstrong

About the Author: Kenneth Armstrong

Kenneth Armstrong is a news reporter and photojournalist who regularly covers municipal government, business and politics and photographs events, sports and features.
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