Shed fire in Cedar Springs extends into Buckhorn Cafe

By Craig Hendry

Twitter @F_P_Photography

See below for photos.

A fire at the old Buckhorn Cafe in Cedar Springs posed significant danger for firefighters from Blenheim and Erieau this afternoon.

Fire crews battled a blaze in Cedar Springs this afternoon.
Click to enlarge.
Photos by Craig Hendry

Chatham-Kent Fire Station 18 in Blenheim was dispatched at 4:57 p.m. on Sunday for a reported shed fire at 8602 Talbot Trail, the old Buckhorn Cafe in Cedar Springs. Thick black smoke could be seen from outside of Blenheim. A storage shed at the rear of the vacant Buckhorn was fully involved with fire as firefighters from Station 18 Blenheim arrived on scene, and stretched hose lines in preparation to confront the fire.

The fire was extending to the main building of the Buckhorn, and a tree stump across the street caught fire from the heat and embers. The Station Chief from Blenheim requested a second alarm response, sending Station 14 from Erieau to the scene. By this time, firefighters were applying water to the fire, and additional crews prepared to make entry into the Buckhorn.

As crews entered the Buckhorn, a positive pressure ventilation fan used to clear smoke from buildings; was used to perform what’s known as a ‘positive pressure attack’ on the interior fire. Positive pressure ventilation (PPV) is uses to evacuate smoke from buildings using a large fan. PPV takes cool air from the outside of a building, forces the air into the structure, clearing smoke, heat, and gases. A positive pressure attack (PPA); takes the same basic principal as PPV, and uses it to aid the firefighters inside a burning structure, and make operating conditions better for the crews.

As Station 14 Erieau crews arrived on scene for the second alarm, both stations were able to gain the upper hand on the blaze. The pumper truck from Station 14 put an attack line into service from their truck as their crews went to work, aiding Blenheim firefighters with the exterior attack.

With the team work of both Stations 18 and 14; “Fire out” was transmitted to Fire Dispatch at 6:06 p.m.

C-K EMS was on stand by at the scene, reporting no injuries.

Fire officials are listing the cause as “undetermined”, and suspected vandalism.

Damages are pegged at $60,000.

Posted September 23 2012