Intersection of devastating fire partially reopens

The scene of the devastating fire in Orillia's historic downtown four days later

Mississaga Street East is open to vehicle traffic and Peter Street South is partially open to pedestrian traffic around the scene of Tuesday’s devastating fire in Downtown Orillia.

The area had been gradually reopening throughout the week amid the ongoing cleanup efforts from the $4 million in damage that was caused by the fire.

As of Saturday, vehicles can travel in both directions on Mississaga Street East at Peter Street, and south on Peter Street North approaching Mississaga Street East. Pedestrians can walk around the scene on Peter Street South along the eastern sidewalk.

The entire intersection had been closed to all vehicle traffic until Friday, while pedestrians were blocked from walking south of Mississaga Street East along Peter Street South.

Peter Street South remains closed to vehicle traffic between Mississaga Street East and Colborne Street East. The western sidewalk of that Peter Street South segment remains closed to pedestrians.

Power had been restored to all neighboring buildings except the two immediately adjacent buildings from the structure that was burned down. City crews restored power to the intersection’s traffic lights around midday on Friday.

The man accused of starting the fire awaits his next court appearance, facing charges of arson and disregard for human life. One of the conditions of his release is that he cannot possess a lighter. These charges have not yet been tested in court.

The fire was officially put out in entirety by crews on Thursday, which put the building back in the hands of its owner and insurance.

The owner told CTV News on Friday that demolition costs totalled nearly $500,000 and that insurance might be able to cover only 60 per cent of the total rebuild. Demolition equipment was still at the scene on Saturday.

The owner launched a GiveSendGo campaign to raise funds for the tenants whose businesses burned down in the fire.

With files from CTV’s Julianna Balsamo and Mike Arsalides