Two cabins destroyed in Emma Lake Fire as crews battle intense heat

Lakeland Fire Chief Jordan Hewitt said it was likely the first time in his career he's lost two structures at once. (Courtesy of Lakeland and District Fire Department)

Firefighters were focused on keeping flames away from nearby cottages and the surrounding area as they battled a large blaze at Emma Lake on Friday.

The crews were dealing with a major two-structure fire at Guises Beach on the lake’s west side.

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Flames and thick smoke could be seen from across Emma Lake as members of the Lakeland and Buckland fire departments worked aggressively to contain the blaze.

By the time crews arrived, one cabin was already heavily engulfed in flames.

No one was injured, as the seasonal cabins were not occupied at the time.

Lakeland Fire Chief Jordan Hewitt says while wind conditions were relatively calm, there was still enough heat and movement to threaten nearby structures.

“There wasn’t much wind, but there was enough wind just to sort of start pushing the heat towards the second cabin. When the second cabin did become fully involved, the heat from it actually melted some of the siding and stuff on the next cabin as well,” Hewitt told CTV News.

Fire officials believe the blaze started on the exterior of one of the cabins, allowing it to spread quickly.

“Our dispatch was saying that there was a call [that came] in that there was an explosion. I wasn’t on scene at the time, so I’m not sure, but no, there were no injuries from an explosion,” he said.

Unlike conditions seen at this time last year, firefighters say higher moisture levels from winter and spring snowfall helped reduce the risk of the fire spreading into dry grass and brush around the lake.

Even so, crews worked aggressively to protect nearby cabins from the intense heat.

“Even where the engine was parked, I could feel the heat going over that way as well,” Hewitt said.

“But they always know when you get there, the main priority is structure protection to try and contain it and keep it from spreading.”

Hewitt, who has served with the volunteer fire department for 30 years, says this fire marks an unfortunate first for him.

“This was probably, I think, the first time where we’ve actually lost two at the same time.”

Firefighters set up a high-volume portable pump at the shoreline to pull water directly from Emma Lake, supplying engines and tanker trucks for several hours as crews battled the fire until about midnight.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.