PENHOLD - An out-of-control cooking fire led to the destruction of a holiday trailer at the local RV park.
Shortly before 6 p.m. on June 9 Penhold Fire Department crews responded to a call of a fire where people were reportedly trapped inside the holiday trailer.
"We arrived on scene to a fully involved trailer, and talked to the owner who said everyone was out,” said acting fire Lieut. Bailey McKay.
Fire chief Jim Pendergast said the owner of the RV said while he was cooking oil spilled and a fire started.
"The owner went on to say he put the fire out and left the trailer to talk to some people, and a few minutes later when he looked back the trailer had fire coming from the roof," said Pendergast. “It’s very important that even if you think a fire is out to call 911. The fire department can come out and use special equipment such as our thermal imaging and heat detectors to find hidden fires or hot spots and make sure everything is OK."
Pendergast said the unit's electrical and water hook-ups both melted. He added one propane tank exploded and another had the valve open and was "feeding the fire.”
The damage is estimated to be $65,000 for the trailer and $15,000 for a motor vehicle. Three fire units, including command and support units, responded to the fire, along with 18 firefighters, and public works and FortisAlberta staff.
