SUNDRE - Officials have confirmed there was an explosion as well as a fire at an industrial shop west of Sundre where the owner of No Surrender Fire Services who was also a former Sundre Fire Department chief died last week.
The provincial government’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) department – which falls under the Jobs, Economy and Trade ministry – confirmed to the Albertan that the agency is looking into the workplace fatality that occurred in a shop in Mountain View County on Friday, Nov. 22.
“One worker died following an explosion and fire,” reads part of a statement provided to the Albertan Monday.
“As this is an active OHS investigation, no further information can be provided at this time,” it said.
“It is always tragic when a worker dies on the job. Our government’s goal is to have all workers return home safely after every workday.”
Although authorities did not identify the deceased, friends, colleagues and former colleagues identified the man as Marty Butts. He operated his business No Surrender Fire Services from the Mountain View County property.
RCMP Cpl. Gina Slaney earlier confirmed the fatality saying “there is absolutely nothing to indicate that it’s criminal based on the initial investigation,” adding RCMP think “it’s a tragic workplace accident.”
OHS investigates serious worksite incidents including fatalities which fall under provincial legislation to determine the causes and circumstances of the serious injury or incident.
Fire crews from Sundre, Olds and Clearwater County rushed out on the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 22 to the shop north of Highway 584 after the Sundre Fire Department received a 3:49 p.m. call about a structure fire.
Sundre Fire Department Chief Ross Clews told the Albertan the shop was fully engulfed when crews got there.
Members from the Sundre RCMP detachment were dispatched at about 6:20 p.m. to assist responding fire departments.
The community has since been mourning the loss of Butts, who in hundreds of heartfelt tributes posted on local social media pages has been fondly remembered as a community-minded individual who inspired and influenced many people.
Butts had more than 30 years of service with the Sundre Fire Department, nearly 10 as chief. His ousting from the position in 2020 was very divisive for the community.
Sorrowful expressions of condolences to his wife Nicci Doyle and his family and friends have also been posted to both her personal social media account as well as the business she runs in Sundre called Backwoods Bakery and Café, which had been closed but is now set to reopen Wednesday, Nov. 27.
