Police don't suspect foul play in Barrie fire

Police don't suspect foul play in Barrie fire


There is no indication of foul play in the fire that destroyed a historic building in downtown Barrie early Friday, police have told CTV.

Authorities from the Fire Marshal's Office were at the scene this weekend evaluating the devastation.

The fire started after an explosion in the Royal Thai Cuisine Restaurant. At least six buildings were destroyed, among them the landmark Wellington Hotel, in a portion of the downtown district that was established in 1814.

About 20 people who lived in apartments in the devastated buildings are now looking for new accommodations.
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The Globe and Mail

Dozens of firefighters from neighbouring communities rushed to the scene, pumping in water from Lake Simcoe to extinguish the blaze.

Seventy-five firefighters from four municipalities responded to the call at 11:35 on Thursday night. They faced three flashovers - where a ball of fire consumes everything in a room. Firefighters were also slipping and sliding on ice that formed as the temperature dipped to -10.

One firefighter suffered a dislocated shoulder. However, no other injuries were reported.

Fire officials estimated the damage to be in the millions of dollars.

Municipal leaders, in the midst of a downtown revitalization plan, vowed to help the affected businesses and residents, but see it as an opportunity to create a new landmark building.

The massive fire was the second to strike a prominent Georgian Bay community in a week.

A blaze that erupted along the main strip at Wasaga Beach destroyed up to 70 per cent of the tourist area's businesses