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
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.