A massive blaze prompted a large emergency response at a building with a heritage designation in southern Ontario earlier this week.
It happened at the former Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School on Ridge Road North in the Town of Fort Erie.
Firefighters from all four stations in Fort Erie responded to the scene at around 1 a.m. on Monday, a press release from the town said.
They worked for around 16 hours to bring the fire under control and extinguish hotspots.
“This was a significant and complex fire that required a coordinated response from all four of our stations. Our crews worked under challenging conditions for many hours and displayed the highest standards of professionalism throughout the response,” Fire Chief Mark Schmitt said.
The former high school has a long history in the town.
Officials said demolition work was underway at the property before the fire broke out.
“The original 1927 front exterior, or west façade, of RCBHS is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value and architectural and historical significance,” the town said.
“The façade was intended to be preserved and incorporated into the future redevelopment of the property.”
Officials said care was taken to try to preserve the front façade wherever possible while fire crews worked to ensure the blaze was fully extinguished.
“Given the compromised condition and deterioration of the structure, safety remained the primary consideration driving all decisions,” officials said.
Cause of the blaze was arson
The Niagara Regional Police Service said the cause of the fire has been determined to be arson.
Police said an investigation is underway. Detectives are asking residents and businesses in the area to review any surveillance footage and to contact police if there is any suspicious seen on video.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
“On behalf of council and the entire community, I want to express our sincere appreciation to every firefighter who responded and worked through the night to keep our community safe,” Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop said.
“Most of these individuals are volunteers; they left the scene and returned to their regular jobs only hours later. Their extraordinary efforts are a powerful reminder of the commitment our firefighters make to Fort Erie every day.”