Couch conflagration leads to charges

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

Kings County Register

Two university students were charged under Wolfville's Open Air Fire Bylaw Monday morning, April 14 after volunteer firefighters had to douse a smoldering couch.

The two men, ages 22 and 23, are tenants of the Fowler St. apartment from where the couch was dragged outside and lit on fire overnight.

The tenants told police couch burning is a tradition for them.

Fire Chief Tim MacLeod said his department was summoned at 7:40 a.m. after the piece of furniture started burning again. It was located just three feet away from the structure.

While bonfires are not uncommon in Wolfville, especially in the spring, MacLeod disagreed with the accuseds’ excuse.

"It's not a long-standing tradition, maybe off and on for two or three years. Besides, they were sleeping when the fire broke out again and it was very close to the house.

“They're not thinking."

MacLeod said his members believe such blazes are fueled by alcohol, or “liquid courage.” 

The Open Air Fire Bylaw was passed about five years ago after complaints in the town about burning garbage, grass and leaves.