A devastating fire broke out in downtown Lakefield on Thursday (October 9), engulfing the building housing Kawartha Home Hardware at 24 Queen Street.
As of 5:30 p.m., nearby residents reported the building — which has apartments on the upper levels — has been “mostly gutted” and has suffered extensive water damage.
Emergency crews remain on the scene Thursday afternoon as heavy smoke continues to pour from the historic structure, which sits at the heart of the village’s main commercial block.
According to witness reports, the fire began in the upper portion of the building before spreading into the hardware store below.
“The danger is, of course, because it’s such an old building,” said one local resident. “It’s progressed down into the Home Hardware itself, which would be absolutely devastating for the community.”
Flames were seen engulfing the structure shortly after noon. Thick dark smoke blanketed much of the downtown, with residents as far away as nearby streets reporting that they had to close their windows due to air quality.
According to witness reports, everyone inside the building was able to get out safely — including a dog and a cat.
Selwyn Township firefighters are leading suppression efforts, with support from fire crews from the townships of Douro-Dummer, Cavan Monaghan, and Otonabee-South Monaghan, the Municipality of Trent Lakes, and Peterborough Fire Services.
Police have closed all access to downtown Lakefield, and residents are being urged to stay clear of the area. Those who parked vehicles downtown will not be able to retrieve them until emergency crews reopen the area.
Artist Emerance Baker, who owns the fine craft gallery Divine Craft at 15 Burnham Street with artist Christy Haldane, posted on Facebook about the fire.
“Christy and I are so deeply saddened about the fire that destroyed the Home Hardware building right across our gallery today,” Baker writes. “We saw our neighbours and friends lose their homes, business and jobs in this devastating fire today.”
“Our gallery suffered smoke damage and the power is turned off to our block for the near future. But it’s all so insignificant compared to the absolute destruction of our neighbouring business. I still can’t truly believe it. We had to leave knowing we have zero control over what’s going to happen next. We don’t know when we’ll be able to open again.”
Kawartha Home Hardware is a longstanding local business and a cornerstone of Lakefield’s downtown. The timing of the fire — just before the Thanksgiving weekend — has left many residents shocked and saddened.
“This is really tragic for Lakefield,” one community member shared. “It’s one of those places everyone goes to — for supplies, advice, a chat. It’s hard to imagine downtown without it.”
Peterborough resident Neil Morton, whose father-in-law co-owns Kawartha Home Hardware, posted on Facebook that the store is the “epicenter” of Lakefield.
“I have gotten to know the employees there over the years and they are great humans who care deeply about community and each other and customers,” Morton writes. “People go to that Home Hardware and others like it in small towns because of the exceptional customer service and smalltown stories (sunshine sketches) they get there. It’s an experience. If you know, you know.”
“A lot of tenants were displaced in the apartments above and the amazing (Home Hardware) employees, led by their manager/community guy/volunteer firefighter Garnet (Hinds), are in shock and wondering what’s next.”
“I hugged Garnet (standing there for hours on Main Street with his team) and first thing he says to me is deflecting to the care and empathy he has for his employees. That store is everything to him. It’s everything to that town, and the locals and cottagers who use it. It’s the lifeblood.”
On Thursday night, Selwyn Township issued a media release indicating that Queen Street from Albert Street to Reid Street is closed to all traffic. Water Street from Bridge Street to Concession Street is also closed to allow fire crews to draw water from the Otonabee River to right the fire.
“The Office of the Fire Marshall has been called, and it is expected that Queen Street may remain closed for several days,” reads the media release. “Until there is further information about the structural integrity of the building, there may be impacts to local businesses.”
Those businesses include the Lakefield IDA Pharmacy, which is attached to the north side of the building.
Selwyn Township has advised residents that, due to the excessive amount of water being used to fight the fire, Lakefield residents may notice water discoloration and they should run their cold water for 15 to 20 minutes until the water runs clear.
As of Thursday night, firefighters remained on site, working to contain the blaze and prevent further spread to neighbouring buildings.
The full extent of the damage and the cause of the fire are not yet known.
This is a developing story and is being updated as more information becomes available.
