Flames partially destroy Truro landmark

TRURO – Investigators sifted through rubble and inspected damage Friday morning at the site of a structure fire in Truro.

A blaze broke out at the A.J. Walker building on Prince Street on Thursday around 1:30 p.m. One end of the building, where several business were located, was destroyed and later excavated. The other end is still standing and firefighters say there is smoke damage but no structural integrity issues, though they aren’t letting anyone inside. The fire was the talk of the town in the small community.

“It was like an inferno basically. It was coming right out of the roof and stuff,” said Jodi O’Gardy, who witnessed the flames.

“A lot of smoke. A lot of smoke. They put a pile of water on there,” said witness Donald Brown.

Fire investigator Ryan Thibeau tells Global News that the cause of the blaze is still unknown. He also notes that it’s too early in the investigation to point out where the fire may have started.

For now, his attention is focused on documenting the damage, which he says could take several days.

“I would really like to give you a concrete timeline but the documentation we have to do, it could take some time,” said Thibeau.

Maurice Rees owns a store on the side of the building that wasn’t destroyed by fire. No one other than firefighters and fire investigators is allowed in the structure, meaning all he can do is wonder about his shop.

“We can’t open. We can’t even do anything,” Rees said. “We can’t even get in to have a look.”

Rees says the clothing inside his shop will likely have extensive smoke damage. He adds that he does have insurance.

Some residents snapped pictures of the aftermath on their phones and cameras while others crowded the sidewalk to take a look at where the historic building once stood.

“It’s really going to be missed,” said Ellis Dinham.

“Everybody in this town knows A.J. Walker building. It’s just going to look weird at this end of town not being there…half of it not being there now,” said Michael Newcombe, who stopped by the site to take a look at the rubble.

Thibeau says he does not know whether the building is salvageable though he adds that will ultimately be the decision of the owner.

The family who owns the building tells Global News that it is a very emotional time for them, saying the building has been in the family since 1939.