Windsor Star

READY FOR FIRE FIGHT

Firefighte­rs battle a commercial fire in an alley in the 300 block of Ouellette Avenue on Wednesday. A gas leak was being investigat­ed as a possible factor in the fire.

- CHRIS THOMPSON chthompson@postmedia.com

The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal has been called in to investigat­e after a fire that started in the alley behind the 300 block of Ouellette Avenue spread to a convenienc­e store and neighbouri­ng cigar shop, filling nearby businesses with smoke.

Fire crews were called to the alley directly behind Ray & Kim’s Convenienc­e at 352 Ouellette Ave. shortly before 3 p.m. after fire somehow ignited at the rear of the building.

Fire crews arrived and quickly attempted to douse the blaze and were assisted in laying firehose to a hydrant by constructi­on workers from the old Armouries Building, which is being converted to the University of Windsor School of Creative Arts.

Fighting the fire appeared to be complicate­d by the fact it was being fed by natural gas.

As late as half an hour after the original call an intense flame pointed upward from what appeared to be a pipe in the alley.

Acting Fire Chief Mike Coste said it was too soon to name a gas leak as the cause.

“There was a fire reported in the alley, we don’t know the cause at this time,” said Coste. “It’s a big fire. “Obviously, there will be an investigat­ion. We have to do tests to determine that (if it was gas).”

Coste said about 40 firefighte­rs, eight fire managers and a dozen vehicles attended the scene.

Firefighte­rs rotated quickly and took frequent cooldown breaks because of the 29.5 C heat.

“It’s just like wearing snowsuits right now so they’re hot,” said Coste of the heavy gear worn by the firefighte­rs.

Nina Lucier, a cashier at Ray & Kim’s, was on duty at the front of the store when the blaze broke out.

“Smoke just started pouring in from our air conditione­r vent and pouring into the whole store,” Lucier said.

“It just started filling up. And then I came outside and called 911 and then I yelled for him because he (the owner, Diong) was in the back and I told him come to the front, somebody told us there was a fire in the back alley.”

The smoke also filled the neighbouri­ng Casa del Habano cigar shop and could be seen seeping out of the front of the Mazaar restaurant. The ventilatio­n system in the complex to the north at 300 Ouellette filled those buildings with smoke and necessitat­ed the evacuation of businesses, including the Windsor Star, Subway, WFCU Credit Union and the Dugout Sports Bar.

Ray & Kim’s owner, who is known by the single name Diong — and who has only owned the shop since March — has insurance but is concerned about how much his deductible will be and how much will be covered. “I don’t know how much I will have to pay up front,” said Diong.

He was in the back of the store and suddenly saw flames through the window, and the blaze quickly spread inside.

“It’s all wooden, so it’s very easy to catch fire,” said Diong.

The store stocks a selection of Canada and Windsor souvenirs and a number of other unique items, as well as cigars.

As the fire and smoke spread, a large crowd gathered on Ouellette but were eventually moved away by police and fire because the thick black smoke was likely toxic.

Lucier had to leave the building so quickly she left her purse behind at the back of the store.

“I just hope it didn’t burn my paycheque,” Lucier said.

Fire officials were to review the status of the businesses at 300 Ouellette on Thursday morning to determine if they can reopen.

Coste said the investigat­ion is likely to take some time.

“This is going to be a long investigat­ion, it’s not going to happen overnight,” said Coste.

Smoke just started pouring in from our air conditione­r vent and pouring into the whole store. It just started filling up.

 ?? JASON KRYK ??
JASON KRYK
 ?? DAX MELMER ?? Fire crews battle a blaze in the alley behind the 300 block of Ouellette Ave. on Wednesday. Ray & Kim’s Convenienc­e and Casa del Habano suffered smoke damage.
DAX MELMER Fire crews battle a blaze in the alley behind the 300 block of Ouellette Ave. on Wednesday. Ray & Kim’s Convenienc­e and Casa del Habano suffered smoke damage.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Canada