This photo of a shop burning in Codette, just south of Nipawin, is part of a GoFundMe effort to help the owners recover. (GoFundMe)

By Susan McNeil

Fire

Fire destroys business south of Nipawin

Jul 27, 2022 | 1:00 PM

A shop that has been a staple of the business community south of Nipawin for 30 years is no more after a fire on the weekend.

Nipawin fire chief, Paul Cockell, said they got the call Saturday afternoon there was a shop on fire next to Highway 35 in the village of Codette, just south of town which relies on Nipawin for fire services.

“Very, very fortunately, there was nobody in the shop. The fire spread, by all accounts from what witnesses said when smoke was showing, it did spread very quickly,” he said.

One fire engine arrived on scene right away and was later followed by two more trucks and the rescue vehicle, which allowed firefighters to gain more access.

“We actually did have to bring in the rescue unit as well to get in some heavier type machinery to try and rip down some of the walls and some of the other hard to reach areas,” said Cockell.

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“Command and RMCP immediately, because it was adjacent to the highway, started in on traffic control and then did a very quick assessment,” he explained.

The owner confirmed that no one was in the building, which makes the job of the fire department much simpler.

One engine arrived immediately and were followed by two others and the rescue truck to gain better access.

With a fire next to the highway, fire services try to mitigate how much it affects visibility for traffic passing by, he said.

Fire fighters did have to go back in the evening to deal with a few hotspots.

A GoFundMe has been started to help the owners of the shop, named as RW Spring Service, with a goal of $5,000.

As of today, over $1,000 had been raised.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow