This area really had its share of prairie fires throughout the years. There was plenty of pasture and seeded land burned.
Thankfully I have not found any reports of deaths due to fire, and it is rare that the family home was burned by a prairie fire.
Many homes were burned, a few by things like children playing with matches, or chimney fires, we have all heard of them.
However, I have been learning of some other causes of fires that I would never have thought of.
One of the oddest is the fire that was caused by an exploding washing machine and even that turned out to be mild in comparison to what happened to the Don Slemp family in 1969.

March 20, 1969
Fleet Activities
“Farm Home Burns
“Mr. and Mrs. Don Slemp had the misfortune to lose their home and contents by fire last Wednesday after dinner.
They were lucky to escape with their lives as two explosions close together left them with no time to save anything, Don going out the back door and Dora through the panel in the front door.
The force of the explosion took out most of the windows and one partition - flames enveloping the house in a matter of minutes.
“As far as can be ascertained natural gas seepage from a drilled well which had been filled in years ago could have been the cause.
“ The loss is partially covered by insurance.
“Friends and neighbours are gathering in the Fleet Hall on Saturday night, March 22, to give them a shower for a new start .”

It sure didn’t take long for the community to get things going for the Slemp family.
I think it is the quick support of the community that got a lot of people through a lot of bad times.
I am sure the Slemp family would agree with me.
I think having your home burn is one of the worst things that can happen to a family. Having it explode like that would really be devastating.

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