2560 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

If only a recently-retired NP resident could get us more info on the ground there.

[Nparker]

I am relieved to hear that no deaths occurred as a result of this fire. I hope the one reported victim makes a swift and full recovery.

 

Some of the Victorian houses on that block have been beautifully restored. It's sad to see one of them damaged like this. Hopefully repairs can happen in the near future.

[Nparker]

If only a recently-retired NP resident could get us more info on the ground there.

It's much too early in the day for this retiree to be out and about.

[Victoria Watcher]

Oh my.

 

 

 

 

 

Home of Ukrainian Catholic Church pastor decimated in morning fire

 

The pastor, his wife and three children escaped the burning home, one with significant injuries

 

https://www.vicnews....n-morning-fire/

 

 

 

 

Hope this isn't arson.  The front door area is certainly not always where an accidental fire would start.

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 20 April 2022 - 09:25 AM.

[Nparker]

Hope this isn't arson. The front door area is certainly not always where an accidental fire would start.

OMG. This is entirely possible. 

[sebberry]

Reporting on CFAX that gasoline was poured into the mail slot and lit on fire.

[Victoria Watcher]

Some men just want to watch the world burn.

~ Alfred

[Mike K.]

Wow:

She was awoken by a "gulp, gulp" sound as gasoline was being poured through the mail slot next to their front door, Vyshnevskyy said.

Before Vyshnevskyy reached the bottom of the stairs, the gasoline was set ablaze while his three daughters, ages 5, 7 and 11, slept upstairs.

- https://vancouverisl...-slot-1.5868591

[Nparker]

This is truly horrific. If caught, the perpetrator needs to be charged with 5 counts of attempted murder.

[pontcanna]

Heavy smoke from warehouse building fire in Chemainus

Multiple fire halls responded

May. 5, 2022

Heavy smoke billowed from a warehouse on the Trans Canada Highway at River Road in Chemainus for a lengthy period of time Thursday.

North Cowichan Fire Department crews from Chemainus and Crofton fire were on the scene after the call came in at 9:45 a.m. and were expected to remain there most of the day.

The cause of the fire isn’t yet known.

 

Extensive smoke billows from a warehouse on the Trans Canada Highway in Chemainus while fire crews work to contain it.

 

More: https://www.cowichan...e-in-chemainus/

 

[pontcanna]

"Firefighters battled a risky blaze in a Chemainus warehouse Thursday morning that contained a cannabis-growing operation, residential suites and stash of ammunition.

More than 45 firefighters were on the scene from five fire departments and they initially attacked the blaze from the outside before moving inside. A store of ammunition started “popping” as the crews knocked down the interior fire, said Ma rtin Drakeley, chief of the North Cowichan department.

He said the bullets went into the roof as the gunpowder inside the shells burned and created “a lot of extra heat.”

“We kept everyone back,” Drakeley said. He said the bullets did not come out in full force as the powder burned off, but “they’re still projectiles.”

The calibre of the bullets and how many there were has not been determined... bylaw officers are checking and confirming whether the warehouse at 3444 River Rd. was a legal operation."

More: https://www.timescol...rehouse-5335519

 

[pontcanna]

Man rescued from View Towers fire recovering from severe burns

• Times Colonist
• 10 May 2022
•  
•  
• 

Firefighters rescue a resident of View Towers from his smoke-filled apartment on April 29.

 

The man pulled off a 10th-storey balcony while his apartment in View Towers burned is recovering in hospital after major skingrafting surgery.

 

Robert Greene, 51, a resident of View Towers for 15 years, suffered third-degree burns on both hands in the April 29 fire. The fire also burned the hair off his head and damaged skin on his lips, nose and chest, Greene’s younger brother, Shane, told the Times Colonist.

 

Robert Greene hasn’t been able to communicate with his mother, who lives in Victoria, or his father, from the Kootenays, because he’s been on a respirator since being rushed to hospital after his rescue, suffering from smoke inhalation and thick soot in his lungs.

 

The blaze has been deemed accidental, with no cause given by the fire department. Nine other suites were affected by the water used to put out the fire, but damage was minimal, officials said. Ten displaced residents were allowed to return within two days.

 

Shane Greene said the family plans to launch a fundraising page this week to help raise money for his brother’s recovery.

 

More: https://www.timescol...e-burns-5344715

 

 

[max.bravo]

Has anyone else noticed an increase in ambulance traffic around town? It used to be id see an ambulance with lights and sirens just every once in a while. For the last week or two I’ve noticed them every single day. Often multiple times a day. What’s changed?

[Victoria Watcher]

Long Covid calls?

[Mike K.]

Hotel shuffles.

[Victoria Watcher]

“So far this year we’ve seen close to a 12 per cent increase in 911 calls coming through compared to 2021. And as we head into the busier summer months, these call volumes are expected to continue to increase as our province prepares for its first summer without COVID restrictions in two years.”


https://www.vicnews....-b-c-911-calls/

Ok so there has been a 12% increase in calls. But there has not been a 12% increase in incidents.

There has been a 200% increase in cellphone ownership in the past 15 years.



E-Comm staff are experiencing high levels of stress and burnout. Bradley said E-Comm has “a number of staff” on leave, though she did not provide an exact figure. Staff are on leave for standard reasons like parental leave or WCB, but E-Comm has also faced COVID-related absences and requests for stress leave.



Let’s hear the figure, If you are going to complain to media be forthright and honest.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 May 2022 - 04:03 PM.

[Nparker]

...There has been a 200% increase in cell phone ownership in the past 15 years.

People didn't make 911 calls before cell phones?

[Victoria Watcher]

They did. But if you for example witnessed a severe car crash, before cellphones, all the other motorists nearby had no means of contacting 911. Short of finding a phone booth.

Before 2005 few teens had cellphones. Now almost all have them.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 May 2022 - 04:05 PM.

[Redd42]

They did. But if you for example witnessed a severe car crash, before cellphones, all the other motorists nearby had no means of contacting 911. Short of finding a phone booth.

 

This is true. I witnessed a severe accident a few weeks ago. My 911 call wasn't the only one they received as the sirens were there before my call ended.

[Victoria Watcher]

On the staff “burnout” I can understand nurses maybe more than 911 operators. You are sitting in a chair with headset and computer screen. One call at a time.