Damage to Grand Bend's recently renovated Legion hall is estimated at about $500,000 following a fire early Tuesday.
Lambton Shores Fire Chief James Marshall said crews responded to an automatic alarm at the building on Municipal Drive just after 6 a.m.
"Upon our crews arriving on scene, they noted some smoke coming out of the ridge cap and some of the ends," said Marshall. "We then brought in multiple halls out of Lambton Shores and mutual aid out of South Huron and we were able to knock down the fire and keep it from extending further into the building."
Marshall said damage is significant.
"Unfortunately, with putting a fire out in an attic, you end up with water that goes down through the remainder of the building," he said. "This Legion was recently renovated, so by the time you look at drywall, and flooring, and the actual fire damage, we're suggesting it's somewhere in the neighbourhood of half a million dollars in loss."
Marshall said the building had been cleared by late morning and crews were starting to investigate a cause.
"At this point it is not deemed suspicious. Especially with the area that we're concentrating on for the fire. But, it's too early in the investigation to give any specific cause," he said.
Marshall said the building was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported.
"If there had not been an alarm system in this building, we would have lost the entire Legion and all of the memorabilia and historical elements that are within it. So make sure that you've got working smoke alarms in your house, because fire can happen anytime and without proper notification you're behind the eight ball," he said.
-With files from Stephanie Chaves
