Pouce Coupe Fire Department responds to fire under ‘difficult’ weather conditions

POUCE COUPE, B.C. — Four residents were displaced after a fire caused significant damage to a rural home near Pouce Coupe.

According to the Village of Pouce Coupe in a December 22nd press release, the Pouce Coupe Fire Department was called to the blaze shortly after 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 21st.

Crews arrived to find the structure fully engulfed, with extreme cold adding to the challenges faced by first responders 

The village said at the time of the call, temperatures were around -25 C, with wind chills near -35 C. Access to the property was initially limited due to uncleared roads, requiring a snowplow to reach the scene.

Pacific Northern Gas, BC Ambulance Service and BC Hydro were notified and responded, while mutual aid manpower was requested from the Tomslake Fire Department. 

In total, 16 firefighters, eight from Pouce Coupe and eight from Tomslake, were involved in the response.

Fire suppression efforts continued throughout the day, with crews finally clearing the scene and returning to the hall for cleanup around 5:00 p.m. 

Resources on scene included two fire engines, a water tanker, command units and a warming bus provided by the Tomslake Fire Department.

Emergency Support Services was contacted to assist the displaced residents.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire has not been released.