Helicopter rescue, industrial fire keep firefighters busy

By Kirk Starratt

kstarratt@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

Local firefighters were called to assist in the rescue of a kayaker who had overturned in the Minas Basin last week.

Canning Fire Department Deputy Chief Scott Cruickshank said his department was called to assist in the rescue off Kingsport beach Thursday, July 3.

At the same time he arrived on the scene, however, a Search and Rescue helicopter arrived, dropped the kayaker off at Kingsport Beach and took off.

Cruickshank said there was an Aurora aircraft circling the helicopter, as well. The rescued kayaker was transported to hospital as a precautionary measure.

New Minas Fire Chief James Redmond said firefighters from his department also responded to assist in the water rescue.

In other fire news, Canning responded to a call for medical assistance at the Look Off Saturday evening, June 28.

New Minas firefighters responded to a medical emergency at the Flower Cart Friday, June 27. Someone had caught a finger in a roller.

New Minas responded to an illegal burn on Dow Road Sunday, June 29 and to a possible house fire on Cloverleaf Drive the same day. Redmond said the house fire call involved a hot water heater that caught fire.

New Minas firefighters responded to a grass fire on Prospect Road Tuesday, July 1.

New Minas responded to a two-vehicle collision on Commercial Street July 3. Redmond said no one was injured in the incident.

New Minas firefighters responded in mutual aid to Hantsport July 3, as that department was busy battling a fire at the Minas Basin Pulp and Power mill. Wolfville and Kentville firefighters responded in mutual aid, as well.

Kentville firefighters assisted paramedics at the scene of a crash that occurred during a 4X4 rally in a pit off Spittal Road in Coldbrook June 28.

Kentville was called to the scene of a collision involving a motorcycle and a deer on Brooklyn Street Monday, June 30, but the call was cancelled before firefighters arrived.

Kentville firefighters responded to a false fire alarm sounding at Eastern Protein on Chipman Drive at around 1:40 a.m. July 1.

Later the same day, Kentville responded to a false fire alarm sounding on Edith Drive, Coldbrook. It turned out to be caused by a faulty detector.

Kentville responded to an alarm sounding at the federal agricultural research station just after 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 2.

Kentville responded to the scene of a minor diesel fuel spill in the parking lot of the Centennial Arena July 3.

Kentville firefighters responded to a complaint about a fire in a sand pit between Brooklyn and Exhibition streets last week. Department spokesperson Ian Fairclough said it turned out that some local kids had the fire.