Skip to content

Attempt at thawing water pipe in Kaleden leads to burning gasline

The water to a resident’s property had frozen up outside their home
24257979_web1_210224-PWN-KaledenFire-Google_1

A homeowner’s attempt to thaw their waterline led to a ruptured and burning natural gasline in Kaleden on Feb. 16.

The Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department responded to a call about a house fire at Cottonwood Avenue to find flames jetting from a broken pipe outside the home.

“However it happened, the natural gasline caught on fire, so it was a matter of making sure the house-siding didn’t catch,” said Fire Chief Denis Gaudry.

READ MORE: Keremeos Fire Department douses fire

The water line to the home had frozen outside, and the homeowner had been trying to thaw it, according to Gaudry.

Fifteen firefighters from the Kaleden department and two from the Okanagan Falls Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene.

Gaudry thanked the community for their support for volunteer firefighters.

“People (volunteer firefighters) had to leave to their jobs, so thank them, but also thank their employers who allow them to respond,” said Gaudry. “Recognizing the support that firefighters get from their employers is great.”

READ MORE: It takes a town to build a truck: The Oliver Fire Department gets creative

There were no injuries, and only some smoke damage to the structure.

The gas and water were restored for the homeowner once the line was repaired.

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

<>


@PentictonNews
newstips@pentictonwesternnews.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.



Brennan Phillips

About the Author: Brennan Phillips

Brennan was raised in the Okanagan and is thankful every day that he gets to live and work in one of the most beautiful places in Canada.
Read more