THUNDER BAY — A demolition team is finishing the job that a fire at the Finnish Labour Temple started the night of Dec. 22, 2021.
The crew was using an excavator Tuesday to tear down the walls of the historic Bay Street structure.
Fencing and tape are in place to ensure the safety of bystanders.
Owner Brad McKinnon hopes to rebuild while also duplicating the original facade and iconic cupola.
McKinnon purchased the labour temple, including the internationally-renowned Hoito Restaurant, with the aim of converting the hall to high-end apartments.
The renovations were well underway when the fire occurred.
Fire investigators ruled the cause of the blaze to be undetermined because of the extent of the damage in the area where the fire is believed to have started.
