Cleanup continues after fires at former St. Catharines Standard building

Investigation and clean-up efforts continue at two buildings in downtown St. Catharines that went up in flames last month, including the former St. Catharines Standard newspaper building.

Part of Queen Street between St. Paul and King streets has been closed since the fire initially happened on Dec. 5.

The former newspaper site again went up in flames on Dec. 26, as well as at a former vacant restaurant.

Fire crews say they were able to manage the blaze at the former restaurant but the blaze at the former St. Catharines Standard building was much more stubborn.

Fire Chief Dave Upper did not provide a cause for the fires but says there was some form of combustible fuel source used to start them.

In an email to CHCH News, St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe says city bylaw officers issued an order Wednesday to immediately move back the fencing and bins blocking the road.

One of the demolition team members tell CHCH News that crews will be at the scene shortly and plan to clean the road, with the goal of having the it reopened sometime next week.

Coun. Robin McPherson says its a loss for the city and its strange to see a gap where the former St. Catharines Standard building once stood.

“It’s a loss. It’s also a loss for so many people that worked at the Standard that knew the building inside and out,” said McPherson. “I’ve got friends and family who worked there and for them, they’re just really sad that, that was how the building ended.”

WATCH MORE: Former home of St. Catharines Standard goes up in overnight blaze

An email to CHCH News from Niagara police Const. Richard Hingley said it is a multi-agency incident, with St. Catharines Fire investigating the origin and cause of the fires and Niagara Regional Police assisting with the search for witnesses or suspect information.

Police say the fires are not considered criminal in nature at this point.

“At this time, St. Catharines Fire has advised that the cause is undetermined, however the two fires appear to have separate origins,” Hingley said. “As far as NRPS involvement goes, we have been canvassing for video and speaking to witnesses, however, this fire has not been classified as a crime at this point.”

Hingley said there has been evidence suggesting that both addresses had people using the abandoned buildings for shelter.

The NRPS encourages anyone who may have information about this to contact them at 905-688-4111.

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