40 years since fire turned downtown YMCA into ice sculpture

Crews battle a fire at the downtown London, Ont. YMCA on Jan. 4, 1981. (CTV News London Archives)

London, Ont. — Monday marks the 40th anniversary of the massive YMCA blaze in downtown London.

On Jan. 4, 1981 fire ripped through the 84-year-old building causing $1 million in damage.

It was determined to be a case of arson.

It became a sight to behold as the water used to fight the fire froze over the structure.

A new facility was built at the current location of King and Waterloo streets, opening two years later in 1983.