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
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead following prison attack
Convicted B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, who preyed on women he lured from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to his rural pig farm, has died.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
DND moving 1,000 employees out of Ottawa office building due to safety concerns
The Department of National Defence is moving approximately 1,000 employees out of an office building in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood, citing safety concerns for its employees.
Man convicted of killing Toronto cop in 1980 granted day parole
A man convicted of murdering a Toronto police officer more than four decades ago has been granted day parole for six months.