North River Fire Chief Kirby Wakelin is singing the praises of the DSPA after the small device was used to suppress flames and disperse a fire in an unoccupied house in Hampshire Sunday night.
The device is used in places that are difficult to access, as was the case when firefighters responded to a 6:45 p.m. call.
Wakelin says the one-level, single dwelling house had flames and heavy smoke shooting out the front window when firefighters arrived.
The red, round metallic device was tossed into the house emitting a cloud of potassium compounds that quickly snuffed out the blaze.
“I think they’re fantastic,’’ said Wakelin.
“It helped save the house.’’
Wakelin says this is the second time his fire department has used the device to successfully put out a fire.
The DSPA, which stands for dry sprinkler powder aerosol, is used in a variety of fire scenarios to knock down flames and lower the temperature drastically, allowing firefighters the ability to enter, fight the fire effectively and limit the danger to themselves and reduce property damage.
In this case, the bulk of the fire was contained to the living room, which was gutted. However, there was extensive smoke and heat damage throughout the house.
P.E.I. Fire Marshall Dave Rossiter says the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The homeowner and her boyfriend were in an outbuilding when the fire broke out in the house, says Rossiter. The couple called in the fire as did several others.
Wakelin estimates about 25 firefighters and six trucks attended the fire. Firefighters were on the scene for about three hours.
