Mushroom barns destroyed by fire
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Updated: July 31, 2009 11:39 AM
Three mushroom barns on Upper Prairie Road were destroyed by fire Thursday, despite firefighters' four-hour battle to control the blaze in the 35 degree C heat.
Two firefighters were treated at the scene for heat-related exhaustion.
Upon arrival, about 60 firefighters from Chilliwack and Popkum struggled to contain fires raging in two two-storey barns measuring about 200 feet by 80 feet.
However, they were unable to control the spread of the fire to a third connected barn, which was also destroyed.
Firefighting efforts continued throughout the night to extinguish hot spots remaining in the barns, and firefighters also patrolled residential areas in nearby Marble Hill and Nixon Hill to control any spot fires that developed from the massive column of smoke and fire from the barns.
The cause of the 1 p.m. fire is under investigation. Fire officials said the barns were in full operation, and due to their age the fire spread rapidly, fueled by the hot, dry air and radiant heat.
BC Ambulance paramedics treated firefighters, and local Salvation Army volunteers provided water and nourishment during the afternoon.
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