The Chatham-Kent Fire Department says $500,000 damage was caused during a morning blaze in Wallaceburg.
Chris Case, assistant fire chief, says crews were called to a warehouse on Wallace Street in Wallaceburg at 4:45 a.m.
“Crews from Wallaceburg and Chatham responded to calls of a building on fire and arrived to find a very large, developing fire in a warehouse/office complex, spreading to a neighbouring boat yard,” case said in a press release.
“Additional help was brought from Tupperville and the fire was tackled with firefighters using hand lines and an aerial tower.”
Case said the cause of the fire is still not known, and has been referred to the Office of the Fire Marshal for further investigation.
The approximate loss is estimated at $500,000
“Such was the severity of the fire that crews remain in place at this time and will likely be dealing with hotspots for the remainder of the day,” Case added.
“It sounded like firecrackers going off,” said a witness at the scene.
“I was outside having a cigarette when I heard it, and then I saw all the flames, I thought those trucks were on fire.”
Earlier this morning, the Chatham-Kent Police Service advised some residents to stay inside their homes, as the smoke billowing from the blaze was “potentially harmful.
“Wallaceburg residents living on Old Glass Rd. and surrounding areas south of Garnet St. are urged to close their windows and stay inside due to large amounts of black smoke,” Chatham-Kent police officials stated.
News Update: Fire in Wallaceburg pt1
Residents living on Old Glass Rd. S. of Garnet are urged to close their windows and stay inside#ckps
— Chatham-Kent Police (@CKPSMedia) 13 June 2016
News Update: Fire in Wallaceburg pt2
Black smoke in the area is potentially harmful.#ckps
— Chatham-Kent Police (@CKPSMedia) 13 June 2016
“Motorists are asked to avoid the area as Wallace Street between Pearl Street and Huron Street is closed,” stated Const. Renee Cowell, public information officer with the CKPS.
Here is a screen shot of the building from Google Maps:
Here are some photos snapped by Wallaceburg resident Ryan Langstaff:
Here are some photos of the fire aftermath, taken form a boat in the Sydenham River, and submitted to the Sydenham Current:
Here are a few photos from across the river, taken by Paul DeBusschere:
