Hanover fire cleanup expected to take several days
It’s expected to take several days for Hanover police and the Ontario Fire Marshal to investigate the blaze the tore through a downtown building.
The demolition of two buildings destroyed by fire in Hanover this week began late Friday.
Hanover Police Chief Chris Knoll tells CTV News the process is expected to last the entire holiday weekend, and precautions around the site are in place.
“The demolition and scene examination started today and is anticipated to take the weekend, targeting to finish by Tuesday. Security fencing has been installed to secure the area and the storefronts have been opened to foot traffic,” Knoll said on Friday evening.
He added that the street itself in front of the buildings will remain closed at this time.
According to police, 10th Street between 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue will remain closed for the weekend as fire and police investigators search the debris for evidence.
The Thursday morning fire gutted the former Forum Hotel rooming house, apartments and Fabulous Fashions clothing store, impacting 70 residents. The buildings will be demolished for safety reasons.
Police say Johnny K Sports continues to be assessed and a better understanding of that damage will be known as the clean up gets underway.
Hanover police have not received any reports of missing persons and all known residents of the fire-gutted buildings have been located and are accounted for.
The cause remains under investigation, as Hanover Police work with the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office on the case.
Anyone with information or that has video of the fire, especially between the hours of midnight and 3 a.m. on May 19, are encouraged to contact investigators at 519.364.4280 ext. 101.
— With files from CTV News Kitchener's Tony Grace
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.