Former restaurant goes up in flames in south London

CTV London: Hooks Fire The Former Hook's Restaurant has been reduced to rubble after a fire broke out Tuesday afternoon.

Early Wednesday morning fire crews returned to the scene after a hot spot flared up in the rubble of the former Hook's Restaurant.

The restaurant was reduced to nothing but cinderblocks and charred wood after a massive fire broke out late Tuesday afternoon.

Just feet away the popular Tiger Jacks sits relatively untouched thanks to the efforts of fire crews to keep the fire from spreading.

The blaze started around 5:30 p.m. in the building that used to house Hook's restaurant at Wharncliffe and Southdale.

Up to 12 fire trucks and 35 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the stubborn blaze.

An employee of neighbouring Tiger Jack's Bar and Grill was getting off work at 5:30 p.m., noticed smoke coming from the building and immediately called 9-1-1.

Columns of smoke could be seen from several kilometres away at the time and the blaze kept firefighters busy well into the night.

Crews were called back shortly after 6 a.m. Wednesday after a police officer guarding the scene noticed a hot spot flare up.

At this time the cause of the fire is unknown pending an investigation.

Hooks closed down in 2010 and has been vacant ever since.