Fish suspected of sparking blaze that knocked out power for 1,500 people

nypost.com

A fish is suspected of sparking a blaze that knocked out power to more than 1,500 people in Canada.

An osprey was apparently flying with the fish in its mouth near Ashcroft in British Columbia around noon Friday when the critter slipped out of the bird’s beak and struck local power lines, producing sparks that landed on dry graze and spread to nearly half a hectare, according to the Ashcroft Fire Rescue.

Firefighters, assisted by local ranchers and employees from the Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, quickly contained and extinguished the fish fry with 4,800 gallons of water.

Officials believe an osprey dropped the fish, which landed on a power line. — Officials believe an osprey dropped the fish, which landed on a power line, sparking the blaze. Ashcroft Fire Rescue

Responders dumped 4,800 gallons of water to extinguish the blaze. — Responders dumped 4,800 gallons of water on the fire to put it out. Ashcroft Fire Rescue

But the blaze caused the electricity to temporarily be knocked out in Ashcroft, a town of about 1,500 people about 200 miles north-east of Vancouver.

Investigators later found a charred fish at the scene of the fire’s ignition and said it appeared that an osprey dropped it after catching it in the nearest river about 2 miles away.

The fire broke out about 200 miles northeast of Vancouver, British Columbia. — The fire broke out about 200 miles northeast of Vancouver in British Columbia. Ashcroft Fire Rescue

“We do suspect by the size of the fish and the heat of the day probably caused the rather tired bird to drop its catch,” fire officials said.

“Or another suspicion could be that it’s tired of raw fish and wanted to give cooked a try,” the department quipped.