Demolition of the Kawartha Home Hardware building at 24 Queen Street in downtown Lakefield began on Sunday (October 12), less than three days after a fire devastated the historic structure.
According to a media release from the Township of Selwyn issued on Sunday, the fire is believed to have begun in an upper-floor apartment unit on Thursday afternoon before spreading into the hardware store below. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
While all human occupants of the building got out safely, two pets reportedly perished in the fire.
As the fire resulted in extensive structural damage and there are “urgent safety concerns,” the building is being immediately demolished.
Priestly Demolition Inc., which is conducting the demolition, brought equipment to the site by Friday evening. Applications for demolition permits were submitted to the Selwyn Township building department on Saturday and, due to the immediate need, were issued on the same day.
The demolition company has advised Selwyn Township that the work is being completed in a “controlled and strategic manner using equipment designed to minimize disruption,” with a grapple being used to grab debris and place it into bins.
VIDEO: Demolition of Kawartha Home Hardware (video by Allyson Rader)
“Vibration impacts are not expected, and dust will be minimal as the material remains saturated with water from firefighting activities,” states the media release. “The demolition is being directed by engineering professionals and supervised by Priestly staff from a boom truck stationed above the work site.”
The area has been fenced off to ensure public safety during demolition, and Queen Street from Albert Street to Reid Street and Burnham Street from Queen Street to Charlotte Street remain closed.
In addition to the Kawartha Home Hardware fire, there was a separate and unrelated fire earlier that day at Free Topping Pizza at 17 Queen Street. No injuries were reported, and the cause of that fire was related to a hood vent.
“This has been an incredibly difficult few days for the community of Lakefield,” said Selwyn Township Mayor Sherry Senis. “Our hearts go out to everyone affected by these tragic events. We extend our deepest gratitude to the first responders, township staff, and community members who have shown such compassion and resilience during this challenging time.”
Community-based initiatives to support apartment residents displaced by the fire and affected business owners are being organized by Century 21 United Realty, Canoe & Paddle, The Nutty Bean Café, Village Pet Food Supply, The Loon Restaurant, and others.
Selwyn Township encourages residents who want to support the initiatives to contact the businesses directly.
