A fire at Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores caused about $750,000 in losses on Monday, when a trailer was destroyed and two others were badly damaged.
The morning blaze also destroyed two cars, two personal watercraft on a trailer and a golf cart, said Port Colborne Fire and Emergency Services Chief Morgan Alcock.
He said the cause is undetermined, but there was an area of origin on the lead trailer.
“Several witnesses corroborated the same story, and we have some video footage. We believe it started at the front of the trailer, which is in the area where a golf cart was plugged in and charging.”
The Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal was called, but did not attend.
“We notified them for a couple of reasons. Initially, we thought it might be a lithium-ion battery (in the golf cart). Upon further investigation of the golf cart, we don’t think that was the case.”
The fire service also called the fire marshal due to the multiple units and exposures involved, and interest from media organizations.
Alcock said firefighters responded at 6:22 a.m. for a possible structure fire at Sherkston Shores, at 490 Empire Rd.
“Crews were updated that it was three trailers on fire.”
Alcock said the first truck arrived on scene in about 11 minutes and started a defensive attack, as the lead trailer was on the ground.
The fire extended north and south to two other trailers that suffered extensive damage.
“There was also heat damage to four other units to the east and west.”
Alcock said trailers at the resort are close together, but added that wind was not a factor.
Port Colborne’s two pumper trucks, tanker, rescue unit and aerial all responded with 16 firefighters.
Mutual aid was requested, with a pumper and tanker responding from Fort Erie and a tanker from Wainfleet.
“All told, we had about 20 to 24 firefighters on scene.”
The blaze was under control within a half-hour. Firefighters were on scene until 10:30 a.m.
No one was in the trailer where the fire started, and, Alcock said, residents in another trailer were alerted by a bystander who witnessed the fire and was knocking on doors and honking to get people’s attention.
“We’re unsure if there were smoke alarms in any of the units because of the damage.”
Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are mandatory in sleeping areas in Ontario.