Firefighters in Niagara region have put out a structural fire that created a large cloud of smoke across the City of Thorold near St. Catharines, police say.
In a press release, Niagara Regional Police (NRPS) said emergency services responded to a 911 call in around 3:23 p.m. Tuesday. They said the call was for a “large structure fire.”
Residents and businesses in the area were asked to remain indoors and shelter in place with many instructed to close their windows.
The blaze, at an auto parts store in the area of Beaverdams Road at Collier Road South, was put out after nearly 12 hours of firefighting.
Thorold Fire Chief, Terry Dixon, says the blaze was extinguished around 1 a.m.
Four other businesses housed in the building were affected by flames.
Firefighters reported just one minor injury to a worker.
The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined nor has the estimated cost of damage.
NRPS says an initial investigation has found “no criminality.”
In a release, Dixon says the fire “appears to be accidental.”