Meaford’s Mayor is calling the fire which consumed a local business terrible and hopes tests on local water will be completed by early this week.
Firefighters from several departments were called to a large fire which engulfed Johnny B’s Automotive Thursday evening and battled the blaze going into Friday.
The fire resulted in one minor injury, Highway 26 being closed between Susan and Helen Streets, and a water distribution centre being set up at the Meaford & St. Vincent Community Centre due to concern about possible contamination of the water system by runoff from dousing the fire.
Meaford Mayor Ross Kentner says he is proud of his staff in their response to this fire.
“It was a quickly changing situation at times and what we will call the Municipal Control Group, did I think an outstanding job,” says Kentner. “There isn’t any case or exercise that you could script that would have more fascinating twists and turns then this actual example, and I know our Emergency Control Group will be doing an exercise in the foreseeable future, but this was the real thing.”
Kentner adds they currently do not have any test results for the water, and Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Arra informed him Saturday there were eight tests Public Health sought to perform on the water.
“Dealing with the kinds of toxins that exist in a situation such as this with the gasoline, oil, batteries, benzene, just a toxic mix of chemicals. What happened in the fire was an enormous amount of water was poured on it and that water of course became contaminated, and we believe that some of it escaped into Georgian Bay, but not a large quantity and there is no evidence of any water contamination, but we did have to play it safe and be certain that the water is perfectly clear,” says Kentner.
He adds while he was looking to receive the results of the tests for the water this weekend, he hopes to see them Monday.
Kentner says they do not know if Johnny B’s will be rebuilt, but wishes them well going forward.
“I honestly believe there will be a groundswell of support to see him and his employees back in business. I am just hoping for the best,” says Kentner.