Several buildings were evacuated and several streets closed off in downtown Westlock after a semi truck and trailer collided with a power pole at about 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14.
Westlock fire chief Stuart Koflick said on the scene that while it was too soon to determine the exact cause of the incident, fire crews arrived to discover a dumpster behind the Westlock Collision Repair shop on 107 Street was on fire.
“Westlock Fire responded to a report of a vehicle hitting a pole and the pole on fire,” he said. “Upon arrival we saw a pole was dislodged and the dumpster was fully involved with fire.”
Crews initiated a “cautious attack,” considering the power lines were still live, and extinguished the dumpster fire.
He said damage to the building itself was minimal as the fire was contained to the dumpster.
No injuries were reported.
Koflick emphasized the importance of listening to directions from emergency crews when coming upon a scene as large as this one, where both 107 and 106 streets were closed between Main Street and 100 Avenue
Emergency crews have a busy job to do, he said, and often don’t have time to explain the situation to every onlooker.
“If we provide direction, go back in and close the door,” he said.
Koflick also said vehicles running over charged hoses has been a problem for the fire department in the past, and Wednesday’s scene was no different.
“It’s happened to us on at least one other occasion this year,” he said.
On top of putting firefighters and victims at risk — crews depending on a charged line could be in serious danger if that line ruptures — anyone damaging a fire hose can be held liable for the $600 replacement cost and a $500 fine.
“I have zero tolerance for that kind of thing,” he said.
