'I have to rebuild. I have kids': London business goes up in flames
Damage is estimated to be “well over” $500,000 following a major fire in London, according to Platoon Chief Gary Mosburger.
The blaze at 172 Roberts Ave. broke out just after 5:00 a.m. and so far, there are no reported injuries.
The fire touched three buildings, but a large garage with multiple vehicles inside sustained the heaviest damage.
The auto body and repair shop is a family business.
Mohamed Elgafry, a family member and employee, arrived at the scene shortly before 9 a.m.
He said he is devastated to see three years of hard work to build the business go up in smoke.
“I lost everything. I lost everything,” he told CTV News.
Mosburger says firefighters knew on arrival there was little they could do to save the main garage.
“Crews arrived to find the building fully involved in a fire,” he said as firefighters worked to contain hotspots behind him.
Mosburger said more than 30 personnel responded to the initial call and as the severity of the fire became known, more firefighters arrived.
At the height of the flames, equipment on scene included four engines, two tankers and an aerial unit to get above the flames.
Crews also worked to prevent the fire from damaging two smaller nearby buildings.
Their efforts were largely successful for one of the structures, but the other sustained smoke and fire damage.
All around the site, which also faces Cabell Street, there is evidence of intense heat through burn marks on the sheet metal main building. A large amount of water is also pooled in the area.
As a result, City of London crews arrived to clear catch basins, but that presented another problem, the potential of hazardous water runoff.
Mosburger said Ministry of the Environment inspectors will assist with the cleanup.
“Unknown of what type of materials could be burning inside. Obviously, we realized the fire was deeply seeded and consuming a lot of the materials inside the building,” he said.
While the fire is under control, Mosburger said crews will remain on the scene for some time to keep hotspots in check and to ensure a swift investigation.
There is no cause at this point, but a London fire inspector said the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office will be notified.
Meanwhile, Elgafry said his family will rebuild.
“I have to. I have kids. I have a family. I spent everything. I will start again,” he added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.