Meaford automotive shop goes up in flames, sparking water safety concerns
Fire crews from multiple municipalities banded together Thursday evening after a major blaze in the Town of Meaford that has forced the closure of a road, a school and disrupted the water supply.
Calls for a fire at Johnny B's used car dealership and auto repair and body shop on Highway 26 came in around 7 p.m.
When crews arrived, the structure was engulfed in flames.
An automotive business is significantly damaged in Meaford, Ont., on Highway 26. Fri., May 26, 2023. (CTV News/Mike Arsalides)
Fire officials tell CTV News while there were people inside at the time of the fire.
At its peak, roughly 100 firefighters, many from neighbouring municipalities, including the Blue Mountains, were on the scene.
The HVAC units at the hospital and a retirement home, both within a few blocks, were shut down due to the heavy smoke.
An automotive business is significantly damaged in Meaford, Ont., on Highway 26. Fri., May 26, 2023. (CTV News/Mike Arsalides)
There were also hazmat concerns due to the fire happening at a business filled with oil, the fire chief said.
The fire has since been contained, but Highway 26 was closed at Ridge Road for crews who remained at the scene Friday morning to control ongoing hot spots.
While the Ontario Fire Marshal's office was notified, it will not be sending an investigator.
The Town said the cause of the fire is not considered suspicious.
It's unclear how the fire started, but witnesses said flames could be seen in the now scorched repair and body shop area, with dozens of damaged vehicles being moved around with heavy equipment.
Fire crews said they're thankful hundreds of tires behind the building didn't explode, and no one was hurt.
WATER SUPPLY STOPPED
The Town said while no evacuations were necessary, the municipality temporarily stopped the water supply and issued a drinking water and water conservation notice to monitor for any contaminants from the fire.
Residents are asked to avoid drinking or cooking with municipal watere water and limit consumption.
Due to the water issue, Georgian Bay Community School was forced to close for the day.
A water distribution centre has been set up at the Meaford & St. Vincent Community Centre on Collingwood Street West.
The municipality has arranged for bulk water delivery at the temporary water distribution centre. Residents are asked to bring bottles and containers to fill.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo moved to medium-security prison in Quebec
Notorious serial rapist and killer Paul Bernardo was moved to a medium-security prison in Quebec this week.

Canada's 'unprecedented' fire season linked to climate change, will be the new normal: scientists
At the moment, wildfires are burning across six provinces and one territory in Canada — and they’re still spreading in what’s being called an unprecedented fire season. While firefighters work tirelessly to battle the merciless flames and prevent further destruction, scientists say the wildfires are linked to climate change and that this will be the new normal.
Trudeau raises Poland's democratic backsliding as prime minister visits Toronto
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he raised concerns about reports that LGBTQ2S+ rights and democracy are under threat in Poland during a Friday visit with its prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, in Toronto.
Air Canada says to expect further travel disruptions following Thursday's IT issues
Air Canada says travellers should be prepared for further flight disruptions as it works to return service to normal following a technical malfunction Thursday.
'Torch has been passed': What younger generations need to know about inheriting a family cottage
As more Canadians pass their family cottages down to the next generation, 'major shifts' in the ownership of recreational homes will occur, according to Re/Max. But amid concerns around the cost of housing, some may be wondering whether they can afford to keep that family cottage. Here's what younger generations need to know about inheriting a recreational property and the market today.
'Utterly disgusting': Canadian Army sergeant fined for 'anti-Jewish' comments
A 38-year-old sergeant in the Canadian Army was fined $3,000 and issued a severe reprimand after he made what a military judge described as 'utterly disgusting' anti-Jewish comments while conducting an infantry training course in 2021.
Poilievre tries to head off PPC vote as Bernier bets on social conservatives
Pierre Poilievre is off to Manitoba to rally Conservative supporters ahead of a byelection that Maxime Bernier is hoping will send him back to Parliament. The far-right People's Party of Canada leader lost his Quebec seat in the 2019 federal vote and lost again in the 2021 election.
Experts warn of 'rapid' growth of IBD as number of Canadians diagnosed set to reach 470K by 2035
The number of people in Canada with inflammatory bowel disease is increasing rapidly and is expected to grow to 470,000 by 2035, according to a new report from Crohn's and Colitis Canada.
Trudeau continues to stand by David Johnston despite calls that he step down
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is committed to keeping David Johnston in place as Canada's special rapporteur on foreign interference, despite a majority of MPs voting in favour of his stepping down from the gig.