Pakenham residents can take comfort in the fact that the Mississippi Mills Fire Department has an excellent series of mutual aid pacts in place, as witnessed by the quick response to a house fire in the village Saturday afternoon. Not only did units from the municipality’s two stations answer the 330PM call for assistance- they were supported by neighbouring fire services from Ottawa, Arnprior, Carleton Place, and Beckwith.
30 firefighters made short work of the blaze, and the building in question, a residence at 2557 County Road 29, sustained damage to the basement and kitchen areas.
“No one was home at the time of the fire and while the house sustained significant damage due to fire and smoke, there were no injuries to the public or first responders,” says MMFD Deputy Fire Chief Justin Hemsley.
A detour rerouted traffic for two blocks in the community while the blaze was battled.
The Perth Fire Department was also dispatched to help cover the depleted area of Lanark County while firefighters worked the scene.
Crews began leaving about 6PM, with the site remaining under police control into the evening.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
By Rick Stow