On-duty EMS crew alerts firefighters to Coaldale blaze

COALDALE – The quick thinking of an EMS crew is being credited with helping save an industrial building from an early morning fire.

Coaldale and District Emergency Services was called at 1:18 a.m. Friday, April 6 to Coaldale Mini Storage on 12th Street North in the town’s industrial area. According to a news release from fire chief Kevin McKeown, members of Alberta Health Services EMS who were on duty smelled smoke and tracked the fire to the location and called 9-1-1.

Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke from the west side of a dual-bay shop building. Once inside, they found a burning semi truck. The fire was contained to the north side of the structure but with significant damage as well to the attic space.

Sixteen firefighters spent five hours battling the fire. EMS and RCMP also attended.