Image
Heather Wright Photo
Firefighters pour water on what was left of the wooden barn on Petrolia Line. One firefighter was treated on the scene for signs of heat exhaustion Tuesday.

Petrolia firefighter taken to hospital with signs of heat exhaustion in Canada Day blaze

July 2, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent

A Petrolia/North Enniskillen firefighter was taken to hospital with signs of heat exhaustion during a Canada Day blaze on Petrolia Line.

Five Lambton County fire departments battled a large barn fire on west of Petrolia.

Petrolia/North Enniskillen firefighters responded to the Petrolia Line farm first, around 8:30 pm and water trucks and crews from Brigden, Courtright, Oil Springs and Wyoming were called in to help. A large, old, wooden barn with several sheds attached in flames. The fire could be seen as far away as Mandaumin Road.

Firefighters stayed at the scene into the morning with four tanker trucks shuttling water to the site to keep up with the blaze.

Petrolia Fire Chief Rick Cousins said during the fire, one firefighter showed signs of heat exhaustion. The Petrolia SORT Team and paramedics on scene helped the firefighter who was transported to hospital for evaluation.

Cousins says he was “relieved and grateful” the firefighter was released just hours later with a clean bill of health.

It’s not clear what caused the fire yet. Cousins estimates the damage over $500,000. There were no animals in the buildings but there was some equipment, including tractors, lost in the blaze.

Flames shoot into the air
The fire, as seen off Fairweather Road. Grant Hibbert Photo
Firefighters pour water on what was left of the wooden barn on Petrolia Line.
Four tanker trucks were shutting water to the fire site
Firefighters pour water on what was left of the wooden barn on Petrolia Line.
Four tanker trucks were shutting water to the fire site

Share This

Image
Front Page

Killer Bees’ Feasey to coach Maroons

July 12, 2025

Barry Wright/The Independent Alvinston Killer Bees star Brennan Feasey is the new head coach of the Sutherland Cup champion Chatham Maroons of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The new job came about after Richard Santos left the Maroons this week to become the new head coach of the U16 boys prep team with Biosteel Sports Academy in Windsor and

Read More

Image
Front Page

Still standing (with some help) after 200 years

July 12, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent When Abraham Smith and his wife, Anna Hoy, arrived on the shores of the St. Clair River, there was nothing but trees which blocked out the sun. The couple landed around what we now know as the St. Clair Parkway and Smith Line in 1820, along with two children and another family, and settled in the area.

Read More

Image
Front Page

Remembering Croton

July 12, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Harold Snary stands under a tree in the postal village of Croton. Those standing with him see a new, siding-clad school and church, a few homes and the traffic whizzing down Oakdale Road. At the corner of Oakdale and Croton Road, they might notice the building which used to be the general store. For most, this 39-person

Read More

Image
Front Page

Lambton lands part of 30×30 project

July 11, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Almost 700 acres of land along the Sydenham River, including some in Petrolia and Wawrick, will be recognized as conservation lands in Ontario. It’s part of an international plan to protect 30 per cent of the earth’s land and sea by 2030. Tim Payne, manager of forests for the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, was contacted by

Read More