We are gathering information and have a reporter on scene, but a large fire has downtown Sturgeon Falls cordoned off.
Here's what we know so far.
The fire started around 6:15 this evening (Thursday) on King Street and police say was whipped up by high winds but there are no injuries.
The fire appears to have started at Don's Butcher Shop and spread from there.
Witness Kaitlyn Commanda says a vent on the building was "shooting out smoke'.
"There was smoke everywhere, then flames. It's H & R Block and the ice cream and butcher shop...three stores involved."
Reporter Chris Dawson says, "High winds and blowing smoke, so visibility is poor for two or three blocks east of the blaze. Looks like a war zone."
Crissy Green commented on BayToday.ca, "Don's Butcher Shop and La Poissonnerie as well as the neighbouring Denmar building hosting two more businesses and apartments are gone."
Witness Marcel Martel says, "The Tribune isn't burning yet but Don's butcher shop, H&R block, Moose FM 99.3, Remax and Dino's ice cream shop all burning."
Another witness, 23 year old Kyle Burns told us, "I smelt it from home and came and it was burning a little bit. Don's was going up, then all of a sudden H & R went up and that's when it got real bad with 30 foot flames out the top of the roof and real smokey everywhere and you could feel the heat from a couple of hundred feet away.
"We're all pretty shocked because Don's is the main spot where everybody goes to get their meat."
Burns believes everyone got out safely and animals were also rescued.
Witnesses say the man who runs the butcher shop was taken to hospital.
Marc Dumont commented, "Don's butcher shop, La poisonerie, H&R, Dino's Dairy Bar, 99.3 Fm radio station, I believe there was also a real estate agency in the building as well. Tribune building was also affected but when I left it looked like it was going to survive as the fire appeared under control. Many apartments gone as well. Downtown is a mess, so sad to see all these businesses and people in disarray."
At least three pumper trucks have been working on the blaze.
Witnesses who own a local Chinese food restaurant were pleading with police to let them back to their building which police said was safe, but they, like the rest of the dozens of onlookers were unable to access the block on fire which was taped off by police.
The entire block was evacuated. The fire caused an outage in the King/ Main/ William block. Approximately. 40 customers are without power..
Verner and Cache Bay fire departments are assisting.
There is help for those displaced. The Sturgeon falls Pentecostal Church's Facebook page (705-753-9469) is assisting. They have clothes and other resources available. Peter Kippenhuck is the Pastor.
Richard J Doucette reports, "Sturgeon Falls Pentecostal Church doors will be open tomorrow at 8am if people need clothes and if we can help in any other ways we will gladly do so. We are accepting donations of clothes and will gladly take your contact info if you have household items to donate so that we can make the necessary connections to make sure the people in need can have what they need."
