Business owners react to Maitland & Dundas fire with fear, relief, and worry

How has a massive fire that ripped through multiple midtown buildings affected local businesses? CTV London’s Sean Irvine investigates.

Owners impacted by a weekend fire at Maitland and Dundas Streets in London are assessing damage and, in some cases, questioning their futures as the area tries to recover.

That is the consensus, as they share their gratitude that no one was hurt.

Looking back to Saturday morning, a security camera inside the Enkanto restaurant captured the actions of passersby the moment the fire broke out.

A woman can be heard banging on doors, yelling, “Fire! Fire! Fire!”

At that exact time, the restaurant’s owner, Elba Fernandez, was at home, responding to an alert sent by her security system.

“We saw the fire that was happening at the backside of my store,” she explained.

As another camera captured the moment flames moved through the kitchen roof, Fernandez began to worry about those next to her and above her store.

She arrived at the scene to see smoke pouring from the storefront but was relieved to learn they were ok.

“I can’t imagine how the situation was at the moment with the people living there.”

While residents impacted were offered shelter, it was up to businesses to assess the damage.

On Monday, the back of Fernadez’s restaurant is charred, while the interior has some fire, smoke, and water damage.

It will be some time before she can reopen.

But the restaurant on the other side of the blaze is back in business.

London Burgers was shut for two key money-making days after the fire, said owner Ankur Sharma. He too was alerted by his security system.

“Oh my god, I was so scared, I was thinking it might affect my store,” he told CTV News London.

Arriving at the scene, he was grateful no one was hurt, however, coping with the fire is just the latest thing for businesses along the block.

For many years, they’ve been dealing with the impacts of break-ins and the housing crisis.

“Somebody just broke the windows to get into the restaurant,” Fernandez said.

The situation impacts the bottom line. Despite a steady rush from high school students during weekday lunch hours, Sharma is among those considering his future.

“So, if things keep going like this, I think I have to sell this place. Because losses are going up and people are not coming,” he said.

Area resident and business patron Chadwich Chung has empathy.

“Businesses are struggling for sure. And I understand that a lot of struggles are happening. But you just have to do what you do what you can do to keep the business afloat.”

Both business owners want the city to help increase security in the area.

In the meantime, they’ll wait to hear what caused the blaze.

Fire officials have not commented, but some of those who live nearby contend a blast was the first thing they heard.

“Like a loud bang. Like there was some sort of explosion outside,” said Samantha Naukkarinen, who lives behind the fire site.