Fire Platoon Chief Peter Saab tells Tide news the fire started at 71 Mecklenberg Street around 2 am, then spread to 2 other buildings eastward. The first two buildings are completely gutted, and had their back ends completely cave in from the damage. Saab explains the first building was unoccupied, while the surrounding homes were evacuated and no one was hurt.
Saab says it's a stubborn fire that's deep in the building and will take awhile yet to put out. Over 30 fire fighters are on scene, Saab says they're not only battling fire but the cold and exhaustion.
The Canadian Red Cross say 16 people were evacuated and sheltered on city transit buses until Red Cross volunteers arranged emergency lodging at motels.
There's still no sign as to what caused the fire. Fire investigators will look at the scene once everything has been extinguished.
