Fire fight

Heavy smoke filled parts of the Bay and Algoma area as fire fighters battled a blaze on Machar Avenue Saturday afternoon.

Smoke and flames shot out from windows on all levels of the older home that houses four apartments, drawing six pumpers including the fire department’s aerial ladder truck. That crew was still battling part of the fire at the top of the building after 5 p.m., more than three hours after the fire started.

Officials think the blaze started in the basement of the building before taking over every floor. No injuries have been reported but the building was occupied at the time. It is believed that everyone made it out of the blaze. One man living there, who declined to give his name, said smoke just started pouring out of every vent in his apartment.

Kristen Drew has lived across the street from the building for about three months. She first noticed a fire truck pull up in front of her house and saw smoke coming out of the basement. Five minutes later, she watched the smoke spread quickly to the upper levels.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” she said. “I felt really bad for the people who live there.”

Don McCready lives nearby on Cumberland Street. He was walking along Bay Street when he noticed heavy smoke coming from Machar Avenue. He said he was glad that no one was hurt.

“The main thing is the people are not hurt,” he said. “The house, they can always build another one.”

Emergency crews were still on scene after 5 p.m. as the fire continues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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