This mega-cottage burned in mid-October, on the Fox Point Road. The cause? Lightning striking a huge oak tree next to the cottage, then 'jumping' (as only lightning can) across to the cottage -- probably through an outdoor lighting fixture, but I'm no expert, so don't quote me. Nobody was home, and there were no injuries, but the property loss was complete.
Once the lightning arrived in the cottage, it was off and running.
One of the neighbours heard the bang, and when he went to the kitchen a few minutes later, he saw this out the window.
There were five fire trucks, the first response truck, an ambulance (on site to assist the firefighters), police car -- pretty much everybody came to that party...
And everybody was needed. This was a fierce blaze. Once the foam in the ICF foundations gets going, you are dealing with heavily toxic smoke, and a tremendously hot fire.
It took three visits in total to convince the fire to stay out, and not flare back up from the ruins.
We are very fortunate to have a group of volunteers who are willing to undertake the rigorous training -- critical if you are going to deal with stuff like this fire! and put in the time to practice with the equipment.
The Lake of Bays is always looking for new recruits, and it is one helluva team you would be joining.
So here is a huge thank you to the men and women of the Volunteer Fire Dept, here in Lake of Bays, and everywhere.
We are so grateful for what you do.
It's a tough job, firefighting. One of the members, assuming he's still active, knows my family.
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