Situation at Circle K entertains local kids
by Brandon Mayer
Firefighters in Winchester had a busy day last month, and some local kids will forever be grateful. Members of the fire service suited up and responded to a call in the mid afternoon hours of April 23, and didn’t make it back to the station before they were called again, this time to the Circle K location on St Lawrence St.
Children attending the after school program at Winchester Public School – as well as many parents, neighbourhood kids playing on the yard, and curious onlookers – were treated to a scene not often seen in North Dundas – firefighters donning gas masks. As the curious kids (and adults) asked questions of the local fire team, the firefighters had many quick-witted humorous answers, including an assertion that there were monkeys loose inside the store.
In fact, a Circle K worker confirmed the following day that store had experienced a scare from an apparent leak of gas, possibly carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. The building was cleared shortly after the fire team showed up, and no injuries were reported.
Following the free show, two members of the fire department approached the fence and continued providing answers – some silly and some informative – to the children’s many, many questions. The children of Winchester Public School are certainly lucky to be surrounded on all sides by a hospital, a fire station, a public library, a police station, a convenience store, and a mechanic shop. They learn so much, even when not in class!