Fire on Main Street

David Crowell photo

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Updated at 6:30 pm March 4, 2014

Pincher Creek Emergency Services were called to the scene of two businesses on Main Street just after 5:00 am this morning, after smoke was reported.  Residents in the area report waking to the sound of  "at least eight" explosions.

"Our response was two engines out of Pincher Creek, one engine out of Lundbreck, Peigan Fire, and an ambulance," said PCES Chief Dave Cox.

Gayle MacIntyre photo

"There's actually two businesses in the building.  When I did my walk-around we already had fire showing on all four sides of the building.  From that point, we have been trying to contain it to the structure of origin.  We put it under control about three quarters of an hour ago, (approximately  9:00 am) but we are still going to be here for a long time."

Because of the fire the quonset is structurally unstable.  The cinder brick building on the west side is also unstable.  "Quonset buildings are inherently unstable, so we have to do everything from outside, so it's going to take us a while."

"There were propane bottles, acetylene bottles, oxygen bottles, that were all inside the building,  and they were blowing up due to the heat.  Nothing exited the building, that I saw."

T.Lucas and C.Davis photos

More information will be provided as it becomes available.