Exeter FireStructure fire on Airport Line, July 9, 2023. (Photo by Chad Smith)
Midwestern

Five fire departments work 12+ hours to put out structure fire on Airport Line

As of 10 a.m. on the morning of July 10, crews were still on scene of a structure fire, northwest of Exeter on Airport Line.

Jeremy Becker, South Huron Fire Chief, confirmed nobody was present at the lot when the fire started.

"We were on scene about five minutes after the initial call and started our fire attack," said Becker. "We've got 12 tankers that are hauling water. We have to go into Exeter and Hensall to rehydrate sources."

Mutual aid was activated for the incident with South Huron's partners from Bluewater, Lambton Shores, North Middlesex, and Lucan-Biddulph assisting.

At the time of speaking, Becker said the cause of the fire was unknown.

"But, considering the contents were hay and straw, quite likely combustion," he said.

The building is a complete loss, as well as the hay and straw inside. Becker estimated damages to be $2-2.5 million.

"Our mutual aid system works well and getting all of these tankers together, despite this magnitude of a fire, everything went well and is still going well," he said. "Just getting our guys fed and watered, they've been working since 10:30 last night."

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