The cause is being ruled as "accidental" after an early morning fire broke out behind three buildings in downtown Bothwell.
Chatham-Kent Fire Chief Chris Case told CK News Today firefighters were called to the scene on Main Street in Bothwell just before 3 a.m. Friday for reports of flames coming from the back of a building there and crews quickly responded to the scene.
As of 7:30 a.m., several local fire stations -- including firefighters from Bothwell, Highate, Thamesville, and Ridgetown -- were battling the blaze.
“Once again we see the determination of our local firefighters who attend emergencies around the clock to protect their community, their families and neighbours,” explains Fire Chief Chris Case. “This was a huge team effort from a large number of agencies coming to deal with the danger and support those affected and is testimony to the dedication of all our teams. I extend my thanks and respect for their efforts to contain this fire in challenging circumstances.”
Chief Case said three buildings were involved in the fire -- the post office, a pizzeria, and a general store.
A report from CK Fire and Rescue said crews needed to carry out some demolition to fully extinguish the hotspots and to make the structures safe for operations.
Chief Case expected the fire crews to remain at the scene for most of the day, adding that Main Street in Bothwell is closed and that members of the public should avoid the area if at all possible, adding that "it's too cold for gawking."
He said in addition to battling the fire, the crews are also facing the additional challenge of combatting the ice that is resulting from the freezing cold weather.
Staff from Chatham-Kent's Economic Development team also showed up to support the owners of the affected businesses.
No injuries were reported.
In the wake of the fire, local CK fire officials are recommending residents and business owners to ensure that your homes and businesses are protected by having working smoke alarms.
They are also recommending that businesses have a continuity plan to help them prepare for and respond to disruptions, including fires.