SASKATOON EXPRESS - May of 23-29, 2016 - Page Volume 14, Issue 20, Week May 23, 20161
Saskatoonʼs REAL Community Newspaper
T
Honouring heroes Plaque will recognize fallen firefighters Doug Chovin (left) was one of those who went into the Queen’s Hotel in an attempt to rescue Victor James Budz and Dennis Aron Guenter. Despite improvements in equipment, Rob Hogan, president of Local 80, said fighting fires is still dangerous work. (Photo by Sandy Hutchinson)
he 1980 heroics of two less than two years, died as a Saskatoon firefighters — result of smoke inhalation while Victor James Budz and fighting a fire which broke out Dennis Aron Guenter — will shortly after 10:50 a.m. on May be recognized again on May 31, 1980, in the basement of 31 at 1:30 p.m., 36 years to the the Queen’s Hotel. Budz was day of the Queen’s Hotel fire. rushed to University Hospital at A plaque will be installed 12:15 where he died moments on property at the southeast later. Guenter was pronounced corner of 20th Street and First dead on arrival at City Hospital. Avenue, thanks to the coChuck Sebestyen, who was operative effort of the Saskafire chief at the time, called it a toon Firefighters Local 80, the “very sad day for the fire departPeople Saskatoon Fire Department, ment and a tremendous loss to the City of Saskatoon and the the unit.” Downtown Saskatoon Business AssociaBudz and Guenter entered the Power tion. The space has been contributed by Plant gymnasium in the hotel’s basement Cineplex Galaxy Theatres. on one hose line. Wes Poole and Walter Budz, 47, a 17-year veteran of fire Haday went into the building on another services, and Guenter, 29, a member for hose line, all under the direction of Captain
NED POWERS
Les Parker. The fire was burning in the northwest corner of the building where a sauna and showers were located. Visibility was believed to be good at the beginning, but a backdraft caused an instant change in the environment and covered the room in total darkness. Three men found their way out, but Budz and Guenter lost contact with the hose line and began searching for the door amid an array of gymnasium equipment, in the darkness and surrounded by searing heat. In total, 48 men were called to fight the three-alarm blaze. One of them was Doug Chovin, who called the Queen’s Hotel fire “the most tragic” of his 35-year career which ended with retirement in 1996. Chovin said all units at the main fire hall were dispatched on the first call, and
when the alarms sounded a second time, his unit from the fire hall on Taylor Street went immediately to the scene. “As we came downtown, you could see the heavy dark plume of smoke coming from the building. I saw one firefighter staggering on his knees as he came out of the building. “We went into action, knowing that two men hadn’t come out. We were equipped with 30-minute air tanks and there was an alarm bell on the tanks which told you there were only two or three minutes left and to get out in a hurry. Under the extreme stress and physical exertion of that day, the supply would probably last for only 20 minutes. Our paths were hampered by the largeness of the room and the athletic equipment,” said Chovin. (Continued on page 4)
ANNIVERSARY SALE
Celebrating 36 Years Of Service & Commitment to Saskatchewans Music Community GRANDS UPRIGHTS DIGITALS ADULT AND CHILDREN LESSONS AVAILABLE
.ca
1011 Broadway Avenue / Corner of Broadway & 8th. Phone 306.665.0213