On Wednesday July 17, 2019 at around 7:00 p.m. several 9-1-1 calls came in for a fully involved structure fire at Muskoka Timber Mills located at 2152 Manitoba Street in Bracebridge.
Crews from Muskoka Lakes, Gravenhurst and Georgian Bay are on scene for mutual aid to assist Bracebridge Fire. Bracebridge OPP and Muskoka Paramedic Services are also on scene. No injuries have been reported. The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office will be called in to investigate.
Thursday morning update – Fire fighters remain on scene as pockets of fire are still burning at the Manitoba Street site. Over 30 fire fighters battled the blaze with some sleeping overnight at the fire hall. One fire fighter was treated at the scene by paramedics for minor injuries.
This was the third structure fire of the day for Bracebridge fire crews.
Parry Sound Muskoka MPP Norm Miller released the following statement
I wish to thank all the firefighters and first responders who attended and fought the two major fires in Bracebridge yesterday. With the fire danger rating at high right now, it is only due to the hard work of our firefighters that neither fire spread causing a wildfire.
I also want to thank the Town of Gravenhurst and the Township of Muskoka Lakes for sending their firefighters and equipment to help battle the blaze at Muskoka Timber Mills.
We can only hope that all our volunteer firefighters are not called upon again for a few days so they are able to rest and recover.
Please be reminded that with the fire danger rating at high, no daytime burning is allowed in Muskoka right now.
More updates will be provided as they become available. With files from Matt Sitler – Country 102
MUSKOKA TIMBER MILLS ON FIRE: Bracebridge Fire Department on scene tonight as Muskoka Timber Mills on Manitoba Street erupts in fire. Other departments being called in to assist. More details as they become available. #Bracebridge #News #Muskoka (Video via Ryan Griffiths, Country 102)
Posted by Country 102 on Wednesday, July 17, 2019
We’re on scene to support our Firefighter friends, but going to keep our distance. Stay safe! @bracebridgefire @GravenhurstFIRE @HLOBfire @MuskokaLakesFD @gbtownship pic.twitter.com/cJKwFof2JQ
— Muskoka Paramedics (@MuskokaPS) July 18, 2019
Terrible news of fire at Muskoka Timber Mills. Left planning meeting to take a look. It's a chaotic area with 4 fire departments responding. They are shuttling water. Resist the urge to go look as the trucks are moving fast and need space to get up and down the road.
— Mayor Graydon Smith (@GraydonTheMayor) July 18, 2019
Still going strong. Muskoka road 4 closed at Falkenburg at South end and top of hill on north end pic.twitter.com/vzk2voJeye
— Bryce Davidson ? (@MuskokaCoach18) July 18, 2019
Still going strong. Muskoka road 4 closed at Falkenburg at South end and top of hill on north end pic.twitter.com/vzk2voJeye
— Bryce Davidson ? (@MuskokaCoach18) July 18, 2019
Great job by all departments! It was a hot day, and can attest from past experiences that it would have been brutal bunkered up on this fire ground! Hope there where no injuries or heat fatigued!
I just wonder, suspicious fire at Bangor Lodge and then this one! Coincidental? One location somewhat isolated, the other after hours! Just saying! Safe day to all first responders! Be safe out there! Again part timers doing it! Support your local Fire Department!
I go past the mill once a month or so, there were always stacks of full length logs and shorter logs there every time, usually with a hose or sprinkler running to keep them wet to avoid spontaneous combustion. I have heard estimates as high as 5 million board feet of lumber normally in stock there.