**** Via Halifax Professional Firefighters
What do these fires have in common? Vertical fire spread — and a reminder that every second counts
In recent weeks, #hfxfirefighters have responded to several structure fires where flames quickly climbed the exterior of buildings, reaching upper floors or the roofline in minutes. A quick response from professional fire fighters made the difference between contained damage and potential disaster.
The fire on Cutter Drive in Bedford saw a faster-than-usual response due to crews already being active in the area. On Cornerstone Terrace in Lower Sackville, and on Falcourt Run in Upper Tantallon, timely responses helped prevent fire from fully engulfing the structures.
Development in the area around Larry Uteck — what we often call the “City of Larry Uteck” — has exploded. While a new headquarters campus and fire station are underway in West Bedford, Halifax Professional Fire Fighters remain concerned that its location on Science Park Drive won’t meaningfully improve response times for first-arriving units in much of that growing community. Adding more resources to strengthen the effective firefighting force is a step in the right direction — but it’s not a complete solution.
Fires move fast. To protect lives and property, fire fighters and fire stations must keep pace with how — and where — our city grows.
As more residential buildings go up, we also need to ensure fire codes continue to prioritize safe construction — including multiple means of egress.
(Photos from recent fires in Bedford, Lower Sackville, and Upper Tantallon showing how rapidly fire can spread.)
