Hundreds of calls of concern are pouring in to a local fire department after they were broken into over Thanksgiving weekend.
The break-in occurred at the Seven Communities Volunteer Fire Department in Hadleyville.
“Everybody is pretty upset about it, even getting calls from people in the community. Can’t believe that they stole the gas because of you know how the forest fires index was this year and stuff. So, people were really pissed about that,” says the Guysborough County Fire Department Chief, Doug Halfpenny.
The RCMP are looking for the suspects who stole back-up fuel and prizes donated for the upcoming open house.
Essential firefighting tools and equipment, a large toolbox, and a donated 55-inch television that’s a draw prize, were not taken.
Their open house is going ahead as scheduled on Sunday, October 19 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“All volunteer fire departments, we’re all in there for one reason, when we joined, was to help save our neighbours, in case there was a fire,” says Halfpenny.
He added the volunteers put in a lot of community hours to build the interior of the firehall, including putting in flooring, doors, trim and cupboards.
Police say a separate break and enter that happened at an empty building on Highway 344 later that day may be related.
“Any property crime is disappointing for the people impacted. This situation is particularly disheartening because it impacts the community as a whole,” says Sergeant Natasha Ferrell, District Commander for the Guysborough County District RCMP.
“We hope that anyone with information, including the people involved, will come forward to police or Crime Stoppers.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
