Fire destroys historic Callander complex Update

Callander Fire crews were called to an apartment complex fire on Main Street Monday evening.

The Volunteer firefighters, who were already fighting a grass fire on the South Shore, responded to the call shortly after 8:30pm and arrived to find smoke and flames visible and immediately began to attack it.



Dispatch verified with Callander Fire Chief Rob Serson that the building was involved so he in turn called on North Bay Fire crews to assist.

“Before I cleared the fire on Hazelglen Road I contacted our dispatch and they confirmed that it was a house fire and immediately called for the City of North Bay to send out one of their trucks to start (the) initial attack on the fire until we could clear out the bush fire,” says Sorsen.

“when we first got on scene basically the fire was already coming out through the front window and side window at that point we confirmed that everybody was out of the building and we went on to what we call a defensive attack.”

“So we wouldn’t send any personnel inside the building to fight the fire from the inside.”

Details are limited at this time but Serson says they do know where the fire started and are conducting interviews with all the residents to determine the cause of the blaze.

“We’re investigating right now. We know where the fire started we just have to pinpoint what may have caused the fire to start.”

“It started in the front corner on the second floor,” states Sorsen.

“We’re not sure what the cause is at this time so we’re taking statements at this time from the occupants who were in the building at the time the fire started.”

Sorsen says there are no reports of injuries and all the tenants are accounted for, however, a number of animals are suspected to have perished. The

He also said it was too early to peg the cost of the damage.

“I wouldn’t know at this time we won’t know until we are finished investigating the cause of the fire and do a complete inventory of the contents.”

The blaze leaves several people homeless and a big hole in the town’s quaint downtown area.

Mayor Hec Lavigne says the building is at least 125 years old and was the original homestead of the town’s founder and Reeve George Morrison, and has had a rich history playing host to a hotel and a Bell Telephone office before being turned an apartment complex.

Lavigne, who sat with Deputy Mayor Virginia Onley and watched in disbelief as the volunteer fire brigade did what they could to battle the blaze, said he was thankful everyone got out okay and that there were no injuries or loss of life.

“Heavy hearts here for the number of families that lived on the premises, but small relief that everybody is a, or I guess a big relief that everybody is safe and out of the building.”

“That’s the first priority, you know, protection to the person. And the fire department is doing their best to protect the properties on Main Street so we can only hope for the best and you know the fire department is has a great reputation and I trust that they are doing their best.”