‘We're losing too much connection from the past’: Heritage advocates fear building devastated by fire cannot be salvaged

A building on a property with a history dating back to the 1800s went up in flames Saturday evening. The recreation building, on the grounds of the former London Psychiatric Hospital, now faces an uncertain future.

A building on a property with a history dating back to the 1800s went up in flames Saturday evening.

The recreation building, on the grounds of the former London Psychiatric Hospital, now faces an uncertain future.

London fire crews arrived shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday and quickly determined the best they could do was limit fire spread.

"Crews did a fantastic job,” says London fire platoon Chief Colin Shewell. “They contained the fire to the building. We kept crews on-scene overnight, just to make sure there was no hot spots."

Sunday morning, all that remained on the property, at 850 Highbury Avenue North, was a burned-out shell. Members of the London Fire Investigations Unit went up in a bucket to survey the damage, taking pictures and videos.

London police investigators were also on scene, including members of the Forensic Investigations Unit.

Shewell says the determination was made that it was too dangerous to go in. "Investigation will continue,” he said. “We're working with our partners to determine next steps. It is unsafe to enter the building and do a further investigation."