Demolition work is currently underway to tear down a portion of the landmark downtown building that caught fire Tuesday morning. The building was declared a "total loss" by local officials.
The blaze caused an estimated $4 million in damages and devastated five local businesses. Parts of the downtown remain shut down as of Wednesday afternoon.
Orillia Fire Chief Chris Ferry said at about 2:45 p.m. Wednesday that the plan is to open the building up for firefighters to extinguish any remaining hot spots from the blaze.
“Right now, Priestly Demolition is opening up the centre of the building, so then we can see into it and hopefully get to the hot spots that might still be burning inside the middle of the building,” he said.
“After that, the city building department will take over from that point.”
Earlier today, Orillia OPP officials said the fire is subject to a criminal investigation. VIdeo evidence suggests the fire was started when a person lit a fire to keep warm; it then ignited the fire that consumed the 130-year-old heritage building at the corner of Peter and Mississaga streets.
OrilliaMatters will have more on this later today.
