Ontario’s Brampton-Caledon airport (CNC3) was the scene of a hangar fire on March 4 that caused an estimated $3.5 million in damages and temporarily shut down air operations. Up to six small aircraft were in the hangar at the time of the fire, according to local media.

Early reports say the fire started on an aircraft being stored inside the hangar. One person who was initially reported missing was later found safe. Caledon’s fire chief Darryl Bailey is quoted as saying that a preliminary investigation suggested the cause was accidental. “It was a fast-moving fire with rapidly changing conditions,” said Bailey.

As there was no hydrant nearby, water had to be trucked in to fight the fire. All of Caledon fire department’s nine tanker trucks were utilized. The department also called in an aerial truck from Brampton to fight the fire from above.

There were no injuries reported.

COPA reminds members who store aircraft in hangars that they should be properly insured, whether they are owners or tenants. Check out COPA Flight’s March 2018 issue for Belinda Bryce’s detailed article on the subject.