C.B.N. residents take stock of the damage, further convinced string of wildfires is suspicious

Scott Chandler moved to rural Newfoundland three years ago with his family.

A generally quiet nook overlooking Conception Bay, they settled in Small Point–Adam's Cove–Blackhead–Broad Cove.

But this summer has been anything but quiet. Wildfires have been plaguing the community since May — forcing multiple evacuations. 

And while the damage of the most recent fire burning near Kingston has yet to reveal itself as the blaze still burns out of control, Chandler is among the unlucky.

"I'm numb. I think when I go and stand in my driveway and see the wreckage, I think I'm probably going to have to call mental health," Chandler told CBC News. "I have an eight-year-old son. He doesn't really understand what's going on."

Chandler found out his house was destroyed by the ongoing fire Monday evening.

He previously lived in High Level, Alta., and experienced a two-week evacuation due to a wildfire earlier in his life.

"This isn't my first rodeo," he said.

Today, Chandler is volunteering in his new community to help other evacuees.

He said he is used to high-stress situations as a military member, but having to deal with multiple wildfires and evacuations throughout the summer is starting to take its toll on him and his neighbours.

"There's a lot of people in this community that are scared. We have a lot of seniors," he said. "Since May 7, we've had 12 fires in this region.… Something's fishy. I don't know what's going on here. We're scared, we're upset."

Residents of the community and town officials speculate the recent string of fires haven't been caused by nature.

Police are investigating.

RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey said violating a fire ban can result in a fine of no less than $1,000.

'Blood pressure on bust'

Blackhead resident Lawrence Wheeler said an RCMP officer confirmed to him that a historic church in the town is gone.

On Tuesday afternoon, Wheeler didn't know if his own property was still standing, but like others, he suspects foul play.

"If they soon don't catch him and someone happens to catch him, it's going to be too late. They're going to be the ones that's in trouble," he said. "You coward. Step forward and take what you're doing and take responsibility for it, before someone catches you."

Glenn Trickett evacuated to Persalvic Elementary in nearby Victoria. He said there are neighbours from outside of the province who are considering leaving the area for good.

"One feller, he told me that his house burned down. He said, 'Glenn, I'm not coming back to Blackhead no more.' He said it's just too much stress down there. We had a nice town. It's hard to believe," Trickett said.

If arson is determined to be the cause of the fires, Trickett said the person better not stick around the community.

"How are you going to live with yourself? It's impossible to do all this and the stress. I was down to the doctor the other day and my blood pressure was on bust," he said.

Watching town burn

Mayor Curtis Delaney is also feeling the stress.

He isn't sure about the status of his home either. He said everyone in the area has been affected, and he felt helpless as the fire grew on Monday night.

"There was nothing that you could do, only sit down and watch your town burn in front of your eyes," he said.

Newfoundland and Labrador is availing of fire resources from New Brunswick to help tackle three out-of-control wildfires burning on the island, fire protection supervisor Jeff Motty said Tuesday.

Shortly after 5 p.m. NT on Tuesday, Motty told CBC News the largest fire, near Kingston in Conception Bay North, has grown since its initial measurement on Tuesday morning.

The fire near Holyrood hadn't grown, and a third fire cropped up near the Bay d'Espoir highway.

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