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
DEVELOPING Alberta's request for federal assistance approved after fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that Ottawa has approved Alberta's request for federal assistance after a fast-moving wildfire hit Jasper National Park and its townsite late Wednesday.
Jasper mayor says alert system to be reviewed after message 'glitch'
More than 25,000 people have been displaced from Jasper National Park since wildfires started to threaten the picturesque corner of Alberta Rockies on Monday, but the mayor of its namesake municipality says not everyone received an evacuation alert when it was sent out.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.