Image

One slippery fire call in Dawn-Euphemia

June 2, 2021

Brooke-Alvinston firefighters got a little more than they bargained for when they were called to a gas leak Monday.

Deputy Chief Kris Redick says they were called to a home in Dawn-Euphemia after a resident smelled gas. As they investigated, they opened the water well to find over a dozen snakes in the pit.

“It reminded me of the scene from Indiana Jones, there were so many and they were crawling all over,” he says.

Brooke-Alvinston firefighter Rachel Bryans helps one of the snakes out of a well in Dawn-Euphemia.

Redick says one of the firefighters, Rachel Bryans, is “Mother Nature” and loves all things living. She got right in there and started saving the snakes.

“We lowered sticks and tools down and they eventually slithered up…we let them free in the bush.” About 13 snakes were freed. A few died in the well.

Redick admits this is one of the “top five” unusual calls he’s been to over the years. And he says it was interesting to see “people I never would think would run away, run away” when snakes were revealed.

Share This

Image
Front Page

OPP, Ontario Fire Marshal investigate Wyoming house fire

July 15, 2025

Lambton OPP are investigating after a house fire in Wyoming. Wyoming firefighters, paramedics and the OPP were called to a home on Zone Street Saturday just after lunch. There were no injures because the homeowners were away at the time. No details were given about amount of damage done. Police say the fire is suspicious and the Crime Unit is

Read More

Image
Front Page

Iced Out: Petrolia rec leagues say new ice times offside, could end league play

July 15, 2025

Petrolia ice times to get second look Heather Wright/The Independent Petrolia will take a second look at the way its divvied up ice time this year after complaints senior hockey leagues are not being treated fairly. Recently, Julie Bullock, director of parks and recreation, completed the schedule for all the ice users. The town had received a request from Petrolia

Read More

Image
Front Page

Art for All at Petrolia’s Art in the Park

July 15, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Victoria Park was a busy place as visitors came for the annual Art in the Park Friday and Saturday as people came from all around to take in the artists and artisans. Here’s some of what we saw:

Read More

Image
Front Page

Crocheting senior of the year

July 14, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent When she was in her 30s, a neighbour offered to teach Ruth Anne Mater to crochet. It looked fun, so she picked up a hook. It seems to many as though her hands have not been idle since. Monday, Mater was honoured as Dawn-Euphemia’s Senior of the Year. Mayor Al Broad says Mater “has been a quiet

Read More