THUNDER BAY – The cause of the fire that broke out at historic Finnish Labour Temple will remain undetermined as portions of the third floor of the century old building have collapsed into the second floor and it is unsafe for investigators to enter.
As a result of the collapse, the third floor was unable to be examined beyond drone photos and the investigators have no choice but to classify the cause as undetermined.
The Office of the Fire Marshal was called in to assist in the investigation into the incident that occurred on Dec. 22 at the Finnish Labour Temple at 314 Bay Street to determine the cause, origin, and circumstance of the fire. OFM’s investigation began on Dec. 24 following Thunder Bay Fire Rescue extinguishing the fire.
The Finnish Labour Temple was built in 1910 and meant a lot to the people of Thunder Bay, in addition to being the centre of Finnish cultural and political life in Northwestern Ontario, the hall housed the historic Hoito Restaurant, a museum, and featured a large stage, dance floor, and hall as well as meeting rooms for various groups.
Thunder Bay Fire Rescue received the call for the fire on Dec. 22. Crews were originally fighting the fire from within the building but as the fire spread it quickly became too dangerous forcing firefighters outside where they focused on an exterior attack.
The crews battling the fire for more than 24 hours were also assisted by a drone with thermal imaging cameras that helped crews locate hot spots in the building, a first for the City of Thunder Bay.
Brad Mckinnon, the owner of the 111-year-old building, plans tear down the rubble and rebuild and restore the iconic structure and bring it back to what it was before the devastating fire.
