A challenging basement blaze for Barrie firefighters.
Ongoing renovations in the lower level of the structure at 17 Mulcaster Street, near Dunlop, with the main floor home to Akira Japanese Cuisine and the former Wild Thingz, while occupants lived on the upper level.
Crews were called out around 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning.
Fire Chief Corey Mainprize says working smoke alarms alerted the occupants who got out safely.
Mainprize has pegged damage at $500,00. The Ontario Fire Marshal has been called in.
The fire was contained to the basement, where it started, but no cause has been determined.