Let’s head back to the February 1968 pages of the Optimist when Delta fire fighters, both paid and volunteer, were called to action when the Delta Community Hall in Ladner was completely destroyed by fire.
Flames reportedly leaped 60 feet above the building as Ladner and East Delta fireman hopelessly battled the blaze.
Volunteer members of the Fire Hall No.4 in East Ladner were part of the effort.
The above photo shows Gordon Huff, District Chief of Fire Hall No. 4 and Delta Fire Chief Clifford Cory (centre) conferring with Owen Jones of the BC Fire Marshall’s Office afterwards.
Delta’s fire department had previously been entirely comprised of volunteers.
Huff joined the volunteer fire department in 1953 and they were initially housed in a converted chicken house in East Delta, known as Hall No. 4. Firefighters were later located in the fire hall on Highway 10, later used as a training facility.
In 1988, after 35 years of service, Huff retired from his volunteer position. He was recognized by three levels of government for his outstanding service.
Eventually operated entirely by paid fire fighters, Fire Hall No.4 closed a few years ago.
It was replaced by a new $9.6 million fire hall and emergency operations centre near the Boundary Bay Airport.
