Exotic birds and plants helped by Vancouver firefighters during power outage
A power outage on Thursday at the Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Park brought out firefighters to help keep the resident exotic birds and plants cool.
The power went out at about 3 a.m. and initially, a generator helped keep the dome cool inside. But as the temperature rose outside, the conservatory called in the fire department to help out.
An engine with four firefighters arrived on scene in the park at about 9:30 a.m. Later, a second aerial truck had to be brought in because the engine’s water stream was too strong for the conservatory’s domed roof.
“We didn’t want to damage the roof,” Assistant Fire Chief Brian Bertuzzi told CTV News.
The aerial truck arrived at about 11 a.m. and immediately started misting the roof with water to keep the exotic birds and plants inside cool. Bertuzzi compared the misting to the setup firefighters use for kids at water parks.
The misting had to be done in five minute intervals because the drainage under the conservatory was being overwhelmed. In all, firefighters were on scene for five hours.
Bertuzzi called the call “pretty rare.”
Emily Schultz, from the Bloedel Conservatory agreed. She says in her seven years with the conservatory, she’s never seen a power outage.
Along with the cooling work being done outside, inside staff were also working to hose down the pathways under the dome to try to lower the temperatures, Schultz told CTV News.
Twelve of the larger birds, including parrots and cockatiels, had to be put in cages and taken to a cooler back room.
“The birds were fine but they were much more talkative than usual given the unusual conditions,” said Schultz who wished she had taken video of all the sounds.
“We thank the firefighters for their help,” added Schultz who says all the birds and exotic plants emerged unscathed. The power was restored by 5 p.m., 14 hours after it went out.
The outage forced the conservatory to close for the day on Thursday, according to a tweet. It has since reopened.
The Bloedel Conservatory houses 150 free-flying exotic birds and 500 exotic plants and flowers, according to its Twitter page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.