Fire Services investigating pair of overnight fires at vacant downtown buildings

Road closures in place as firefighters deal with hot spots, public asked to avoid the area

A pair of overnight fires at vacant buildings in downtown St. Catharines will be investigated by St. Catharines Fire Services investigators.

Firefighters remain on scene of 9 Queen St., a former restaurant that has been vacant for some time, as well as next door at 17 Queen St. (the former St. Catharines Standard building that was destroyed by fire earlier this month), dealing with hotspots after a pair of fires last night and into early this morning.

Firefighters were originally called to 9 Queen St. at about 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 26, for a fire in the attic and roof area of the building. While crews were able to quickly gain control of the fire after a defensive attack, they brought in heavy equipment to pull the building down to allow firefighters to douse hotspots that continued to burn in the roof. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and secured the property, clearing the scene at about 1 a.m. this morning (Dec. 27).

Just an hour later fire crews received a call of a reported fire next door at 17 Queen St., which is currently fenced off for demolition efforts following the major fire on Dec. 5. The fire was discovered on the third floor of remaining portions of the building. Crews remain on scene of that fire as of this morning, dealing with hotspots with the support of the heavy equipment contractor that was being utilized for the demolition. Roads in the area, including Queen Street and William Street, are closed to support the effort, and the public is advised to avoid the area.

Fire Chief Dave Upper said at this point fire officials do not have a cause, but they will be investigating. Fire inspectors from St. Catharines Fire Services will be onsite in the coming days to investigate, and the fire chief has also reached out to the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Niagara Regional Police Arson Task Force for any further support, if possible.

“We are doing our due diligence and will be investigating,” said Chief Upper. “While we don’t know the circumstances and can’t comment to that effect, we do know some form of combustible fuel source was used to ignite the fires because of the nature of them.”

The fire was contained to the two structures and did not extend to any of the other neighbouring buildings. Chief Upper thanked firefighters for their efforts.

“Crews worked through some challenging conditions with the extreme weather and ice on Friday night and did an excellent job containing the fire,” he said.

At this time no injuries have been reported, and fire officials indicate there are no safety concerns at this time, although the area will remain fenced off in the coming days to allow for the investigation and for further demolition efforts.