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
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.