A fire in downtown Sturgeon Falls on Thursday night caused damage to several businesses. It was caught on video by Clint Lamarre, who shared the video on the Moose FM 99.3 Facebook page.
Media sources say the fire started at around 6 p.m. at Don's Butcher Shop on King Street, in the community located about 45 minutes away from Sudbury, on Highway 17 between here and North Bay. Firefighters were still battling the blaze well after midnight.
Fire damage was also done to Dino's Dairy Bar and Deli, Moose FM, H&R Block, a real estate office and apartments, media reports say.
Witnesses report that high winds whipping up the blaze may have been a factor. The man who runs the butcher shop was taken to hospital. The entire block was evacuated for a time, and power knocked out for some customers.
Moose FM said in an article on its website that the radio station's engineer has set up a temporary station at its transmitter site to allow it to keep broadcasting.
Tribune West Nipissing This Week's building is also located close to where the fire occurred.
Here's what the newspaper posted to its Facebook site early this morning.
“I have no words, it's devastation for so many local businesses and residents,” the post said.
“I think our building is safe, though we will have to wait until tomorrow to assess the damage. The fire fighters are still there working so hard, they are doing a terrific job under difficult circumstances. We managed to get our archives and some computers out of the building, saving about 50 years of local history that would have been irreplaceable. Now we wait and hope for rain, and we are thankful no one was hurt.”
The Sturgeon Falls Pentecostal Church said on its Facebook page it's holding a free coffee, breakfast and clothing giveaway today starting at 8 a.m. for those displaced by the fire, as well as firefighters. The church said the Red Cross has provided lodging for those displaced by the fire.
