Burned out buildings come down in Hanover, Ont.
The flames were so intense from Thursday’s early morning fire in Hanover that neighbour Lisa Schnittker started grabbing her things to evacuate, fearing the flames would spread to her home.
“It was terrifying. The crashes from the hydro transformers exploding. People coming out of everywhere. It was so scary,” she said.
The flames didn’t reach her home, so Schnittker picked up her camera and captured the epic and tragic destruction of two downtown buildings, home to two businesses, and The Forum rooming house, with more than 50 tenants who escaped with nothing more than the clothes on their back.
“A lot of people lost their homes and everything they own,” said Schnittker.
One of the businesses destroyed was Fabulous Fashions Consignment Boutique. Owner Sue Tipper hasn’t been allowed back in to salvage anything, and will watch today as her livelihood gets turned into rubble.
Multiple buildings were destroyed when a large structure fire broke out in Hanover, Ont. in the early morning hours of May 19, 2022. (Source: Lisa Schnittker)
“I put everything I had into that store. Everything,” she said.
The demolition of these downtown buildings, which were over a century old, will leave a huge hole in Hanover’s downtown, with no real sense of when or if they’ll be rebuilt.
“It’s been devastating for the whole Hanover area. As you can see, it’s a 100-year-old building that has just gone up in flames,” said Hanover resident, Evelyn Smith.
Ontario’s Fire Marshal’s Office is on scene trying to determine if the blaze was started intentionally or not. Town officials hope that demolition will be completed enough this weekend, so they can re-open the Main Street on Monday.
“The memories are coming and people are sharing. It’s one way they can listen to each other and try to heal a bit, because this is a shock to the community,” said Hanover mayor, Sue Paterson.
Assistance is being provided to the many displaced residents at Grace United Church and the P and H Centre in Hanover.
Hanover has implemented a state of emergency in the wake of the fire, which will likely be lifted at some point next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.