Crews fight fire in downtown Ayr, Ont.

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OFM called in to investigate fire at historic building in downtown Ayr

Flames tear through building in Ayr, Ont.

Devastating fire in downtown Ayr

One person was hurt and a building in downtown Ayr, Ont. was extensively damaged as flames tore through the structure.

Crews were called to 22 Northumberland Street around 9:15 a.m. Monday. Several buildings along the road can trace their origins back to the 19^th century. Anyone who has walked or driven along the stretch would have recognized the building by the ‘Hardware’ sign perched overhead.

When first responders arrived, flames could be seen bursting from second-storey windows as thick, black smoke plumed overhead.

“Crews did an exterior attack. When we had the fire under control we tried an interior attack, but because of the age and the construction of the building crews had to back out,” North Dumfries Fire Chief Jeffrey Smith said. “We’ve been putting the fire out from an offensive perspective.”

The fire spread so quickly that one resident leapt from the building’s second floor. That person was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

“We had reports an occupant had become injured escaping, so we rendered assistance with the help of Region of Waterloo paramedics,” Smith said.

Firefighters remained on scene of most of the day, putting out stubborn hotspots and keeping an eye on the building. Crews from Cambridge, Wilmot, and Kitchener were called in to help.

There is no word yet on what may have sparked the blaze.

By Monday evening, the structure had sustained extensive damage and officials said the building will likely have to be demolished.

Ayr Village Pizza and Hitched Coffee call the first floor of the building home. As of Monday night, it was unclear how much damage the businesses had sustained.

“Pretty devastating for everybody. I think Ayr Village Pizza and ourselves at Hitched Coffee is probably going to lose a lot of valuable items inside,” Jeff Trupp, who runs Hitched Coffee with his partner, said. “But no lives are lost so that’s the most important thing right now.”

Other community members watched with heavy hearts as fire crews battled the stubborn blaze for hours on end.

“For everybody in a small town, it hits harder than it’s going to hit for a bigger city,” witness Lisa Ford said. “It’s just heartbreaking to know that it happened so close to home, right?”

In an update on social media at 4:59 p.m., The Township of North Dumfries said road closures along Northumberland Street at Hall Street, Stanley Street at Swan Street and Piper Street at Church Street would continue into the evening.

In a message on social media, Mayor Sue Foxton and fellow council members praised the work of the firefighters.

“It is devastating to see this historic building ravaged by fire. Our thoughts are with the residential tenants and commercial operators who have lost so much because of this fire. As a community, we stand with you during this difficult time. We are also keeping one individual who was injured in the fire, in our thoughts and wishing them a smooth and full recovery,” the message said, in part.