
Caught off guard in the heart of downtown Arthur, residing tenants were irrevocably displaced due to a fierce fire that consumed an apartment. The scenario unfolded just prior to midday on a nondescript Thursday on Charles Street. Fortuitously, it was a day devoid of casualties.
Upon arrival, smoke could be observed wafting ominously from the rooftops. Circling towards the rear of the building, also referred to as the Charlie side by the firefighters, was a sight of flames spewing out of a window. The chaos, encapsulated in a video, captured the intimidating flames annexing a second-storey window of the building.
The incident painted a heavy image of plumes of smoke forged against the pleasant afternoon sky, latticed through windows and roof.
“In no time, we had the inherited support of our allied fire departments from Wellington North and Minto. A formidable team of 25 trained firefighters were present on ground zero,” Deputy Chief Marco Guidotti of Wellington North and Minto Fire Departments informed.
The fire was dominated and confined to a single unit on the upper level of the building, with conjectures surrounding a kitchen as the possible ignition point.
“Regrettably, the aftermath bore witness to significant smoke and water damage to the business compartments below,” a representative from the Minto Fire Department reported.
It has culminated in an evacuation, leaving a cloud over the exact count of those affected. Businesses stand paused indefinitely, with no word on the date of recommencement.
“For the present, no admittance is being granted to the building, on account of the power supply suspension to the affected area. With the damage from the smoke being extreme, inhabitation won’t be possible until a comprehensive cleanup is achieved,” added Guidotti.
The expenditure boat due to the damage is set to sail, overcoming a staggering $500,000 mark. While the unit is sunken in an investigation, the fire has been determined incidental by the officials.
Concurrently, local law enforcement has vouched for George Street being accessible despite Charles Street continuing to be obstructed into the twilight of Thursday.