OFM deems Parkhill business fire as suspicious

A fire-starter business in Parkhill is consumed by flames on Sunday, April 17, 2016. (Joel Merritt / CTV London)

The Ontario Fire Marshal has deemed Sunday's fire at the Quick-Wick facility in Parkhill as suspicious.

Fire crews were called to the “Quick Wick” facility around 8 p.m. Sunday after a large fire was reported.

Large flames and heavy smoke could be seen pouring out of the building for several hours while firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

Fire crews had to be pulled from the building for their safety over concerns of the building’s structural integrity.

Shortly after Middlesex OPP officers arrived on scene, a secondary fire was located in a dumpster on Parkhill King Street.

Quick Wick is an all-natural fire-starter made of wax and wood chips and is manufactured at the facility in Parkhill.

CTV News spoke with the owner of the business who was at his family cottage at the time of the fire.

Frank Wall said he founded the business 25 years ago and it was destroyed in 30 minutes.

"Things have been going really strong last couple of years. So to start over again, that's the gut-wrenching situation we are in now," says Wall.

OPP say the building is expected to be a total loss.

Thankfully, no one was injured in the blaze.

The investigation continues.

Anyone who may have been in the area before the fire started or shortly after, is asked to call police.