The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office has determined the cause of a massive fire in Port Colborne that destroyed an industrial building early Tuesday morning.
OFM Investigative Services Supervisor Manny Garcia says the fire started after a ‘catastrophic failure of the electrical system’ in the south west quadrant of the building.
Fifty-five firefighters from Port Colborne and neighbouring regions battled the blaze at the Vinyl Works Canada plant on Barber Dr.
The dropping temperatures made it difficult for crews as they worked to tackle hotspots on Wednesday.
Officials said they were experiencing frozen equipment and were forced to take time to thaw their gear before returning to the site.
Port Colborne Fire and Emergency Services were called back to the scene after several hot spots flared again on Thursday, which officials say is not uncommon for a fire of such magnitude.
The fire completely destroyed the structure and damage is estimated at more than $3 million.
RELATED STORIES
Fire crews battle massive blaze in Port Colborne
