Sault Fire Services investigating downtown fire
Investigators are searching for the cause of a fire at a building in downtown Sault Ste. Marie that forced nearby business to close while the structural integrity of the building is assessed.
Sault Fire Services said the call came in around 8:30 Wednesday morning, with a total of 16 firefighters from all four stations responding to the call.
At last check, officials said there are no civilian injuries and no firefighters were hurt.
Smoke and flames could be seen rising from the roof of the property at 647 Queen St. East. The Grand Theatre, directly west of the structure, is said to have sustained only minor damage.
The owner of Loplops to the east of the building said while he has not been able to get a good look at the inside of his property, he’s been told the damage is also minor.
However, the owner of The Dive Gastro Pub across the street said she’s been told not to open for at least a day.
“Right now, we’re in the middle of a collapse zone, (but) we’re also going to be in the middle of a construction zone right afterward,” said Becky Sawyer.
“All we can really hope for is that they get it done speedy, safely, and we’ll open our doors again as soon as we’re able to. But for the time being, we’ve been told that we can’t open.”
There has been chatter on the street about squatters occasionally occupying the otherwise vacant structure, with one witness saying they saw someone on the roof before the fire broke out.
Investigators are searching for the cause of a fire at a building in downtown Sault Ste. Marie that forced nearby business to close while the structural integrity of the building is assessed.
Sault police blocked off Queen Street between East and Brock streets after a fire broke out downtown in the 600 block. May 8, 2024 (Mike McDonald/CTV Northern Ontario)Sawyer said there have been some “unsavoury” elements in the area.
“We’ve seen people hanging around, ushered them off, kind of spook people away, but, I mean, at the end of the day, what can we do?” she said.
“It’s not our place. People are going to find their way in there.”
Sault Fire Services said renovations were underway leading up to the fire. Vacant buildings in general are concerning because they are not typically maintained, inspected or properly secured, leaving them vulnerable to vandalism and fires.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Oilers beat Stars, one win away from Stanley Cup berth
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored two power-play goals as Edmonton smothered the Dallas Stars 3-1 to take a 3-2 lead in the NHL's Western Conference final on Friday.
Ex-husband charged with murder in death of Lumby, B.C., woman
The ex-husband of Tatjana Stefanski – the woman whose disappearance and death set the small town of Lumby, B.C., on edge last month – has been charged with her murder.
Republicans join Trump's attacks on justice system and campaign of vengeance after guilty verdict
Embracing Donald Trump's strategy of blaming the U.S. justice system after his historic guilty verdict, Republicans in Congress are fervently enlisting themselves in his campaign of vengeance and political retribution in the GOP bid to reclaim the White House.
Is carbon pricing a politically feasible climate policy? Research says maybe not
Research suggests the Liberals may be fighting a losing battle, and some experts are urging policymakers to look for alternative policies to lower emissions, warning the threat of climate change is too dire to delay action.
U.K. ambassador to Mexico out after video allegedly shows him pointing a rifle at a colleague
The U.K.’s ambassador to Mexico has left his post after a video was posted on social media that purportedly shows him pointing an assault rifle at an embassy employee.
Baby dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to woman who was in police custody
A newborn is dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to a woman in police custody.
The ANC party that freed South Africa from apartheid loses its 30-year majority
The African National Congress party lost its parliamentary majority in a historic election result Saturday that puts South Africa on a new political path for the first time since the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule 30 years ago.