The landscape of downtown Orillia was forever changed on Tuesday morning when a fire engulfed a heritage building at the intersection of Mississaga and Peter Street.
The blaze not only destroyed a historic piece of the community, but also devastated several local businesses, leaving their owners grappling with immense losses.
Among the hardest hit was Dr. Comics, a cherished comic book and collectibles store owned by Carmine De Santo. Speaking from Florida, where he is currently vacationing, De Santo recounted the heartbreaking moment he learned about the fire.
“A buddy of mine called and said he was listening to the radio and heard there was a fire downtown,” he said. “I checked my cameras, but they were off. When I called my landlord, he told me smoke was coming out of the ceiling.”
De Santo says his store was completely destroyed, along with its contents, which he estimated to be worth more than $300,000. His personal collection, spanning 40 years, included rare comic books, original artwork, and memorabilia signed by legends like Mickey Mantle, Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky.
“It’s all gone,” De Santo said while choked up. “I had priceless Holy Grails in there. There was so much history and personal meaning in that store. It’s just hard to process.”
Despite the overwhelming loss, De Santo expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community. He shared that some customers have offered to donate their own collections to help him rebuild.
“It shows the kind of community we have here,” he said, adding that he plans to reopen Dr.Comics, though there is no set timeline.
The fire also affected other businesses housed in the historic building, including Kelly’s Klothing, Three Birds Salon, and Three Crows Speak Studio. Kelly Dominelli, owner of Kelly’s Klothing, shared her heartbreak in a Facebook post.
“I am devastated to say the least, but at least no one was hurt,” she wrote. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out with kind words. I don’t know what will happen going forward, but I am forever grateful for the support.
“It’s wonderful to live in a community with the support I’ve received today,” she said.
For De Santo and his fellow business owners, the fire represents not only a personal and financial loss but also the loss of a building deeply tied to Orillia’s identity.
“It was a beautiful spot, an iconic part of downtown,” De Santo said. “There was so much history in that building and now it’s all gone.”
Shock turned to disbelief for many on Wednesday morning when it officials said the fire is under criminal investigation. While the exact cause has yet to be confirmed, De Santo reflected on the possibility of it being accidental.
“It was a cold morning,” he said. “Maybe someone was just trying to keep warm and started a fire. It’s just sad.”
As the community mourns the loss of a historic building and beloved businesses, De Santo and others remain determined to rebuild.
“There’s always a round two,” he said. “It will take time, but we’ll come back stronger, thanks to this amazing community.”
