Historic Sault Ste. Marie building damaged in Albert Street fire

Fire crews battled a blaze in Sault Ste. Marie on Albert Street on Friday night. Separately, two are dead after an Echo Bay home fire, with OPP investigating.

A fire in a building near the International Bridge kept crews busy for hours on Friday, with the structure’s age presenting significant challenges for firefighters.

Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services responded to the blaze at a building on Albert Street West around 4:30 p.m. on March 13.

Fire officials said that seven fire trucks and 20 firefighters attended the scene on the scene.

City officials and neighbours confirmed with CTV News that all occupants were able to safely evacuate the building.

The age of the structure complicated efforts to bring the blaze under control.

A firsthand account provided to CTV News by a neighbour said that firefighters had mostly extinguished and contained the blaze by shortly 11 p.m. Friday night.

As of 10:15 a.m. Saturday, one truck remained on scene with its ladder still spraying the roof of the building.

No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

Authorities have yet to release any details on a possible cause or an estimate of the damages.