Nine individuals are currently waiting to find out when – or if – they can go back home after a large fire broke out on Saturday morning, impacting a building just east of downtown London.
Fire crews arrived at the intersection of Dundas and Maitland streets shortly after 6:30 a. m., discovering flames consuming the rear of a building and spreading through its basement, second floor, and attic, according to platoon chief Jamie Britton.
“We found out through investigators that a fire started in the rear of the structure – basically a big wooden garage [and] porch area – and up into the attic space,” said Britton. “There would have been a lot of black smoke and flame showing.”
To control the fire, multiple truck and aerial teams were required, which Britton noted caused “extensive damage” to the building itself and minor harm to two nearby businesses.
“Possibly a structural engineer will have to come in because the floors were burned through in certain spots and in the attic space, [the damage] has got up into a lot of the joist areas so there could be integrity problems with the roof,” he explained.
Fortunately, all residents escaped without injuries; however, nine people cannot return home due to safety issues.
“They won’t be going back any time soon,” Britton said, adding that the Red Cross is assisting by providing hotel accommodations for those affected during their initial nights away from home.
The two adjacent businesses also experienced smoke and water damage, according to Britton. The total estimated damages exceed $1 million.
![]()
Fire crews are still investigating the cause of a blaze near downtown London. (London Fire Department/X)
Britton mentioned that due to extensive damage, investigators from London Fire Department along with inspectors from the Office of the Fire Marshal were unable to identify what caused the fire.
Now that their investigation is complete, Britton stated it’s up to the property owners to restore the residence.
Source link
Source link
