Weather hampers fire response

Firefighters were able to contain a blaze in the attic of a home over the weekend, despite the best efforts of the weather.

"Everything that could go wrong, did," says Fire Chief Gari Gill.

The report came in late on Friday evening that a fire had started at a home on Canyon Springs Rd, south of Sundance, and smoke was visible in the eaves.

The cause is thought to have been a separated chimney. However, says Gill, at this time a full investigation is pending until the cold clears up a little.

Two trucks from Sundance Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call at around 11 p.m. and were able to tackle the fire. However, one of the trucks then gelled up due to the temperature, which Gill estimates was around -44 degrees F at that location.

The next morning, January 13, another call came in. A little smoke was still visible at the home.

The remaining two trucks responded and were successful in putting out the fire, though Gill notes that it was cold enough to make it difficult to even designate between steam and smoke.

However, a second engine then gelled up.

The fire department spent the remainder of the weekend working on trucks, but Gill suspects it will be necessary to call in a mechanic.

Until they are repaired, the department will be operating with a single fire truck.

At this time, there is no estimate as to the damage caused by the fire, though it is believed to have been contained to the attic and a bedroom.