Fire protection needs regionalization, Vince MacKenzie says

The head of the fire services association in Newfoundland and Labradorsays communities must co-operate to ensure better fire protection after a fire in Piccadilly Friday nighthighlighted the issue of fighting fires in unincorporated communities.

VinceMacKenzie, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services, saysregionalizationof services is the answer.

"We need aform ofregional governance in many of our areas. And of course with that comes regional services, but alsowith that then comes regional taxation and that's the thing that people don't like," he said.

Only ashes and rubble remain after the family home burned to the ground in the Port au Port Peninsulacommunity.

Trainee firefighters from the Marine Institute inStephenville drove more than half an hour to get to the fire, but by the time they arrived the house was destroyed even though there was a fire department fifteen minutes away in Lourdes.

The fire department in nearby Lourdes wouldn't respond because Piccadilly is an unincorporated communityand doesn't pay fees for fire services.

Volunteer firefighter and Lourdes MayorHenry Gaudon said his department will respond to fires in Piccadilly, but only if the property owner has paid for that protection.

"Unfortunately we can't provide any service to them because we are leaving the contracted areas unprotected," he said.

The homeowner works away and saidshe didn't know she could pay for individual fire protection. She's planning to rebuild.

Meanwhile, theLourdes fire departmentsaidthey would have fought the fire if someone's life had been in danger.