Timmins fire crews continue to battle blaze at Empire Complex

Fire causes millions in damages in Timmins A devastating fire at the historic Empire Complex in Timmins has caused millions of dollars in damaged and displaced more than 100 people.

Timmins area fire crews are still working to put out the blaze at the Empire Complex.

The intersection of Spruce Street and Algonquin Boulevard along with roadways near the building remain closed and flames could still be seen coming from the roof early Sunday afternoon.

Teams from Mountjoy, Schumacher, and Timmins Fire Departments have been working at the building since Saturday afternoon.

Timmins fire officials told CTV News in a phone interview that cold temperatures hindered their efforts to extinguish the blaze.

Officials said the fire trucks and other equipment were out all night fighting the fire and froze.

At about 6 a.m. crews dismantled much of the equipment and brought it to fire halls to thaw, officials said.

Emergency responders said the structure of the building has been compromised by the inferno making continuing to fight the fire more difficult as they cannot send crews into the interior.

Aerial water towers were brought in to help combat the fire on Saturday.

“As of this morning, the situation is still ongoing, and there is no clear determination on the status of the scene and the condition of the Empire Complex building,” the Cochrane District Social Services Association Board (CDSSAB) said in a news release Sunday.

“CDSSAB and city administration convened a meeting with health and emergency services to determine the path forward.”

The social services board said that residents of the Empire Complex residents are still being housed at the Bon Air Motel on Algonquin Boulevard East, but asked that friends and family not call or come to the motel at this time.

“Displaced residents' essential needs are being met,” said CDSSAB.

“The process for accepting donations, including material and cash donations, is being finalized.”

CDSSAB and the city said further details regarding donations will be shared on Monday.

First responders have asked that the public still stay away from the area as emergency crews continue to tend to the scene as road and sidewalk conditions around the building have become slippery – officials said there have been insistences where vehicles have driving through the emergency pylons because of the ice built up from firefighting activities.

Emergency officials have still not released any details about the cause of the fire.

Check back to CTVNorthernOntario.ca for more updates on this story as the situation develops.