Residents and business owners in Grimsby, Ont., are picking up the pieces following a fire Thursday afternoon.
No one was injured but Ontario Fire Marshall Kevin Pahor estimates the damage at more than $2 million after flames roared through a building at the corner of Main and Elm streets in the town’s downtown.
Pahor confirmed “the fire originated on the back end of the property in the porch area” of The Dressing Room Salon and Spa but added the cause has not been determined.
Although he added the cause is not suspicious.
“Lost everything except for the clothes on my back and my two dogs who were rescued.”
Most of the century-old building, which had businesses on the ground floor and three apartments on the second floor, was gutted.
Louise Foster, owner of the Dressing Room Salon, told CHML News that a passerby banged on the back door of her store just before 1:30 p.m. and said there were flames at the rear of the building.
Foster says there were five people in the salon at the time and everyone escaped unharmed.
“I commend the crews from all the departments for their efforts gaining access to the structure when it became unstable,” said Grimsby Fire Chief Michael Cain. “Structural engineers have been deployed to the scene to assist with determining structural stability and next steps with regards to demolition and making the area safe.”
Brad Eggink lived on the second floor and says he’s “lost everything except for the clothes on my back and my two dogs who were rescued.”
“I was at work in an all-day meeting and I had gotten out and there were 60 missed calls on my cell phone so I called the last number that had dialed and found out that my home was on fire,” said Eggink. “First thing I asked is if the dogs were okay and they had been rescued.”
Eggink added he is staying at his mother’s house and says his dogs, Gracie and Lana, are doing good.
WATCH BELOW: AM900 CHML’s Rick Zamperin reports live from the scene.
Foster says all five employees and customers who were in the salon at the time got out safely.
She and other business owners and landlords who have been impacted by the fire and smoke damage, about 50 in all, attended an information meeting Friday morning to talk about what happens next.
Foster has contacted her insurance provider but says she doesn’t know when her salon will be able to reopen.
A large portion of the roof of the building has collapsed and structural engineers are determining how safe the remainder of the structure is.
Grimsby mayor Bob Bentley says despite the devastating damage, the incident has brought the community closer together.
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