A look back at $1 million YMCA fire on this date

On January 4, 1981, a fire ripped through the downtown YMCA, causing $1 million in damage.

So we're taking a look back on this date 34 years ago.

The fire was deemed to be arson.

But plans soon got underway for a new building. On July 30, 1981, ground was broken for a new building on the corner of King and Waterloo Streets.

That building opened Jan. 5, 1983.

The original building that caught fire dated back to 1897 and opened on Jan. 1 of that year.

it was designed by the local firm Moore and Henry.

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  Firefighters attend the downtown YMCA where a $1-million fire started on January 4, 1981. (Facebook / Vintage London)

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  Scene of the downtown YMCA where a $1-million fire started on January 4, 1981.