An investigation into a massive fire that destroyed a number of businesses and apartments in Uptown Waterloo is now underway.
Fire crews were called to 39-41 King Street North just after 3 p.m. Thursday. They found the building, which housed Ish and Chips, a vacant convenience store and several apartments, engulfed in flames.
Firefighters battled the blaze for hours, trying to make sure it wouldn't spread to the historic clock tower and tattoo shop next door. They remained at the scene of the fire overnight, looking for hot spots.
Patricia Rembiszewska, who was working inside Ish and Chips when the fire broke out, said she smelled smoke coming from the back of the convenience store. “I just ran out, left all my things, my coworker he actually saved all my things. It was just full of smoke we couldn’t get out of there, we finally did…when it was actually happening I was shaking, my throat was full of smoke... [and] it’s hard.”
Nearby business owners were also afraid that the fire would spread.
“We were so scared that it was going to jump off to the next building and catch on,” said My Thai's Somphet Douangmala. “But the firefighters were great. They kept the fire contained.”
Four people lived in the upstairs apartments. They are now homeless.
On Friday, curious residents gathered outside the burnt building, hoping to see the damage for themselves. The roof is partially collapsed, and damages are expected to exceed $500,000. Whether the building will need to be demolished has yet to be determined.
Some were surprised that the damage wasn’t worse.
The Ontario Fire Marshall will remain on scene over the weekend, trying to determine the cause of the blaze.
As the investigation and cleanup continues, thoughts are now turning to the business owners who lost everything.
“Monetarily, they’ll get back on their feet, but nothing is going to replace the sweat they’ve put in over the last two years,” said Nick Benninger, of Nick and Nat’s Uptown 21 restaurant. “They’ll just have to start up again when they a chance.”
King Street remains closed from Erb Street to Princess Street, but one of the sidewalks has been re-opened for pedestrians.
