Friday morning was a hectic one for Whitewater Region fire crews and the first call of the day involved the most popular cottage rental at Whitewater Cottage and RV Resort on Rafting Road.
Fire Chief Jonathan McLaren says upon arrival, crews found a fully involved cottage fire, with heavy smoke and flames.
Firefighters stretched hose lines to protect exposures while also attacking the main fire, he said.
“As conditions improved, a secondary search was completed to confirm vacancy,” he said.
The cottage was not rented at the time of the fire and was unoccupied.
It was fully destroyed with an estimated loss of $400,000, said McLaren.
The resort’s general manager Paul Mirault applauded the quick and efficient work of firefighters.
“I have nothing but praise – they came in force with five or six fire trucks and were well represented,” he said.
Some adjustments had to be made at the resort but the fire will not impact the remainder of the season, said Mirault.
The affected unit was where the main water system was but there are backups, he said. They will take the next few days to decide what the plan for rebuilding will be.
McLaren noted the original call for help came from the Quebec side reporting the fire on Grant Settlement Road, so stations 4 and 5 responded to that address while stations 1,2, and 3 responded to a second reported cottage fire on Rafting Road.
After determining there was no emergency on Grant Settlement Road, all crews attended the fire on Rafting Road.
Later in the day, crews were called to Yonder Hill Campground where a fire destroyed a trailer.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)