A large fire at the Paletta International building in central Burlington has resulted in major damages to the facility.
Emergency crews were called to the building, located at the southwest corner of Appleby Line and the QEW, at 4:10 p.m.
Flames could be seen on the east side of the building with black smoke billowing over southern Burlington and Lake Ontario.
“It’s very much a defensive fire. We’re keeping our firefighters safe while looking to try to protect the west side of the building,” Burlington Fire Chief David Lazenby told Global News Wednesday evening.
Lazenby said 50 per cent of the building was affected by the fire. He said it also serves as a meat processing plant.
The City of Burlington said in a statement there are no reports of injuries and everyone is accounted for.
Officers encouraged residents in the area to keep their windows closed.
WATCH: Burlington fire chief provides update on major industrial fire
Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring told Global News the fire is “a shock” for the community and praised the Paletta family, for whom the building is named.
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“They’re community leaders and very philanthropic in the community in support of the Carpenter Hospice and Joseph Brant Hospital, and many other causes in our community, in a very meaningful way,” Goldring said.
“Certainly our hearts go out to them.”
LISTEN: Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring joins The Bill Kelly Show
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Firefighters from Hamilton and Oakville were called in to assist with Burlington crews.
Police closed a portion of Appleby Line beside the scene of the fire, as well as the Toronto-bound access to the QEW.
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