A feed mill in Alliston, Ont. went up in flames overnight causing widespread damage to a business that provides livestock supplies to farms north of Toronto.
Nearly 50 firefighters were called to the scene around 2 a.m. to battle the blaze which was concentrated to the east side of the historic Alliston Feed Service site at 180 Albert Street East.
Fire officials say the blaze managed to spread to the first and second level of the building.
“It’s a cluster of buildings. We’ve controlled it to the main part of the mill itself. Behind the loading dock area, crews are working to control the extension as well as some storage on the north side,” said New Tecumseth Fire Chief Dan Heydon.
Several residential buildings and homes nearby were temporarily evacuated as a precaution.
Officials say one firefighter suffered minor injuries due to the heat.
Chief Heydon says the feed service is a crucial fabric of the community and the damage will be a blow to nearby farmers.
“It’s a feed service business. They take care of a lot of grain and deals with a lot of farmers in the area,” he said. “It’s very much a predominant piece of history in New Tecumseth and specifically Alliston. It’s been quite busy over the last few years when in 2004 we lost the Tottenham feed service.”
There’s no word yet on the cause of the fire.