A fire caused an estimated $300,000 in damage to a vacant home near downtown Windsor on Monday morning, though fortunately, no one was injured. The two-storey residence, located near the corner of Mercer Street and Wyandotte Street East, was fully engulfed in flames when fire crews arrived.
Investigators have been unable to enter the building to determine the cause of the fire due to its unstable and collapsing structure. Windsor Fire and Rescue Services’ Chief Fire Prevention Officer John Smith described the building as “unsafe to enter,” and the cause is being considered suspicious.
The property was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and there were no utility connections, such as hydro or gas. As the fire spread, emergency officials advised nearby residents to stay indoors to avoid smoke inhalation.
Wyandotte Street East was temporarily closed in both directions between Glengarry Avenue and McDougall Street, as well as around Mercer Street, while firefighters worked to contain the blaze.