Gomes: open-air burn will cost Puslinch property owner

PUSLINCH –  A Puslinch resident will be receiving a hefty fine after exceeding the limits of an open-air burn permit on May 21.

Volunteer firefighters from Puslinch and Guelph-Eramosa fire departments were called to an address on Laird Road West in the late afternoon for a report of a structure fire by a passerby.

But when nearly 18 firefighters arrived on scene they found a controlled burn that had outgrown the three-foot-by-three-foot space a burn permit had been approved for.

“What was actually happening is the property owner was tearing down an old garage and decided to burn some of the debris that was on site,” said Puslinch fire chief Luis Gomes.

“So, they are going to receive a pretty hefty fine because we’re a volunteer department, ... all these firefighters left either their workplace or their home, to come put out this, you know, supposedly a structure fire.”

Firefighters ran hose lines and extinguished the burning debris before leaving the scene.

The total amount of the fine wasn’t available before publishing, but the per-truck-rate, according to Gomes, is $488. Around four trucks responded, Gomes said, providing a rough idea for where the fine will sit.