Sarnia Fire and Rescue Services, Sarnia Police and Lambton EMS responded to an intense fire near the downtown that sent thick smoke billowing into the air Friday morning.
Sarnia Fire Deputy Chief Ken Dwinnell said four stations were called to the former MIG Engineering building on Christina Street around 7 a.m.
"The building was fully involved which we'd been told on route," said Dwinnell. "We set up initially [to fight the] interior and then settled back into defensive [firefighting] and it was just stubborn."
Dwinnell said they understand the building was currently under construction and not occupied.
He expected crews to be on the scene throughout the afternoon extinguishing hot spots.
"It's an older building with heavy timber construction, so [firefighters] are having to kind of expose things and get it cooled off as they go. It's all steel roof, so getting access to it is tough, so it's all about trying to get access to it from below. It's kind of a time taking procedure," Dwinnell added.
He said no injuries were reported and a cause and damage estimate had yet to be determined.
Dwinnell said the building might not be a total loss.
"[The fire] was all up in the upper portion of the building and it is a very solid old structure, so there's a chance it will weather it, but there will be a lot of work to do."
Christina Street North was still closed between London Road and Nelson Street at noon Friday and Sarnia police expected it would stay that way for several hours.
NEW - VIDEOS - Sent to Sarnia News Today from Penny Barr, of the fire at the former MIG Engineering building on Christina Street. #SLont pic.twitter.com/5exJH70zEH
— Sarnia News Today (@sarnianewstoday) June 9, 2023
Update: @SarniaFire responded to a large structure fire on the 400 block of Christina Street around 7:00am this morning. There was extensive damage to the structure. @SarniaFire Fire Prevention Officers are currently investigating the scene. There are no injuries to report. pic.twitter.com/7M6nZ7YpiT
— Sarnia Fire Rescue (@SarniaFire) June 9, 2023
Christina St. N is currently closed between Nelson St and London Rd due to a structure fire. The public is asked to avoid this area for the next several hours. At the current time it is unknown how long the road will be closed. pic.twitter.com/nqSc3pFFLr
— Sarnia Police (@SarniaPolice) June 9, 2023
Structure fire on Christina Street in Sarnia. June 9, 2023. (Photo submitted by Colleen Johnston.)
Structure fire on Christina Street in Sarnia. June 9, 2023. (Photo submitted by Stacey Lynne.)
Sarnia Fire responds to a fire at Christina Street and Maxwell Street. 9 June 2023. (Photo by Sarnia News Today)
Sarnia Fire responds to a fire at Christina Street and Maxwell Street. 9 June 2023. (Photo by Sarnia News Today)