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County Public Works garage fire estimated at $3 million loss

April 11, 2013   ·   0 Comments

The cost of the fire at the Simcoe County Public Works garage near Beeton in February is expected to reach between $2,500,000 and $3,000,000.

A report to Simcoe County’s Corporate Services committee on Wednesday will give more details about the February 26 fire.

The report says that initial suspicions that the fire resulted from an electrical issue with a 2007 Sterling model plow truck remain the most likely cause. A final report from the Fire Marshall’s office in combination Transport Canada has not been completed.

The fire saw most of the damage in the main garage area which destroyed the ceiling membrane and insulation as well as caused some structural damage to the steel frame. The mechanics bay and the office area also received significant  heat and smoke dame.

Six combination plow/dump trucks, a grader , a loader and mechanics utility truck. Some of the plow trucks may be repaired but a final report from the insurance company is  also not available.

Christian Meile, the Director of Transportation Maintenance for the County  said that the office area has been restored with occupancy permit issued on March 21. The County hopes that mechanics bay can be restored by the end of April and predicts that the main garage may not be restored until the end of August.

Meile gave his thanks to member and neighbouring municipalities for their many offers of assistance since the fire which have allowed for temporary storage of equipment and material use.

By Richard Blanchard

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