Sharbot Lake island fire consumes residence

Oct 07, 2010

Photo: A lone dwelling on Bradner Island in Sharbot Lake was devastated in a Sunday morning fire October 3. Courtesy of Cody Steeves

An early morning fire on Sunday, October 3 consumed a residence on Bradner Island in the west basin of Sharbot Lake just west of the government dock. The 911 call came in at 7:35AM. Twenty-three fire fighters responded and began moving equipment over by boat to the island, the location of a single dwelling owned by Joe Bradner.

Bradner was at home at the time of the fire and suffered burns to his feet but made it safely off the island, thanks to the help of neighbour Rob Harrison. Bradner was treated by ambulance personnel later at the government dock.

Sadly the permanent dwelling, which had previously belonged to Joe's parents and which he had been renovating for the last year and a half was completely destroyed. Joe had also just completed a roof-top solar micro fit installation on the building.

Deputy Fire Chief Bill Young of Central Frontenac Fire and Rescue said, “We managed to respond very quickly and by 7:55AM we were putting water on the building but by that time there was nothing left of it - the whole building was basically on the ground.”

Neighbours saw a huge billowing smoke cloud and flames reaching well over the tallest pine trees on the island. Amazingly, the trees on the island survived and also a number of other outdoor buildings, as fire fighters managed to put out the fire quickly.

Young said overall he was pleased with the response. “When you get a call Sunday morning and you are putting water onto an island 20 minutes later, you’re doing a darn good job.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation