Vacant building fire sends billows of smoke into east London overnight
CBC
A fire in a vacant commercial building in east London sent flames high into the air and massive billows of smoke into the night.
Multiple 911 calls came in at about 9:30 p.m. about a fire at 720 Cabell St., a one-block street in an industrial area off Rectory Street, south of the Western Fair and CN tracks.
When firefighters arrived, they found three buildings fully engulfed in flames, and had concerns the fire was going to spread to a fourth building.
"Crews were able to work with London police to gain access to the property by cutting the chain at the fence, and our crews went into a fabulous defensive attack, which means that we stay out of the buildings because of the fire load," said Platoon Chief Colin Shewell.
"It was definitely visible across the city."
An emergency alert was sent out to residents nearby, telling them to keep their windows closed as 20 km/h winds pushed smoke around the area.
The fire was out at about 2 a.m., and firefighters made sure to decontaminate as much as possible before going back to their stations to shower.
"Obviously we're concerned about contamination to our firefighters so we have a very rigorous [decontamination] process before they get back in the truck and return to the hall," Shewell said.
"We also make sure the firefighters are cleaned and showered hopefully within an hour of getting back to the hall, because health and safety are paramount."
Crews did a "fantastic job" of knocking the fire down, allowing enough room for others to go in with hand-held hoses. There was no one in the buildings, Shewell added.
"It was a very heavy fire with very heavy charring," he said. "The cause at this point is undetermined. Our fire inspectors are going to work with the London police crime unit, and they'll go back this morning to get to the area of origin."
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call London police.
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