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Loud bang from hydro pole leads to grass fire at Salmon Arm property

RCMP, firefighters douse smouldering grass fire caused by faulty connection
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A Salmon Arm firefighter thoroughly soaks a patch of grass around a hydro pole in front of an Auto Road SE property on Tuesday, June 29, 2021. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

A loud bang in front of an Auto Road SE property was soon followed by a call to the Salmon Arm Fire Department.

Around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 29, firefighters responded to a report of a brush fire in front of an Auto Road property. Upon arrival, firefighters found a smouldering patch of grass at the base of a hydro pole. Deputy Fire Chief Gary Lebeter said an RCMP officer had already doused the grass with an extinguisher. Firefighters proceeded to soak the area.

Lebeter said a resident on the property heard a loud bang and found a grass fire had started at the base of the pole.

“Hydro came on scene and they found a faulty connection on top of the pole leading into the house,” said Lebeter, guessing the current high demand for power may have been a factor. “High resistance created this spark which she (the property owner) would have heard, and of course the sparks drop down onto the ground and got the grass to smoulder.”

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lachlan@saobserver.net
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