Volunteer crews help douse Redwood Meadows fire station blaze that caused millions in damages to back hall

Redwood Meadows Emergency Services’ fire station remains open for business despite a devastating blaze destroying its secondary building, causing millions of dollars in damage.

When a blaze struck the Redwood Meadows Emergency Services fire station back hall on Wednesday, nearly all 34 volunteers who serve the community out of the hall came in to fight the flames.

West of Calgary by roughly 40 minutes, the station’s secondary building was destroyed by a fire, believed to be accidental.

“I arrived first on scene, at the fire hall — I don’t live too far away. And when I arrived, the building was fully involved in fire,” Redwood Meadows Emergency Services fire chief Rob Evans said.

He says the blaze broke out during the dinner hour in the building next to the main hall.

Evans, who has been with the department since 1992, says it was an emotional scene.

“When I stepped out of the house, I could smell the smoke. And as a firefighter, you start to learn the different smells, and I knew we had a building fire as soon as I left my house,” he said.

“My gut just dropped out, because I knew what I was going to see when I got there.”

He says his initial thought was wondering if any firefighters were caught inside, but thankfully, no personal vehicles were there.

“We are volunteers. So, you know, guys drop in and out. And luckily, no one was there,” he said.

No one was injured, and the equipment, collected over many years, can be replaced.

The loss, which includes a fire engine, a Utility Terrain Vehicle, a water tanker, and a bush buggy, is huge — exceeding more than $3 million.

But Evans says with a pumper truck unscathed and a robust crew of volunteers, they are ready to do what they always do: serve the community.

The volunteer team near Bragg Creek is buoyed by support from fellow fire departments, from Kananaskis Country to Chestermere and Diamond Valley.

“The amount of calls I’ve gotten, calls and emails and messages from fire chiefs across the country, looking to help however they can,” he said.

“I didn’t expect anything less … and I wish that we didn’t have to have those calls, but the support is there, and it’s been great.”

A third-party fire investigator is still determining the cause of the fire, but it’s possible it was an electrical fire.

Redwood Meadows Emergency Services launched a website on Sunday, asking for community support in its rebuilding efforts.

You can find more information on how to help on the Redwood Meadows Emergency Services website.