THUNDER BAY — Thunder Bay Fire Rescue is working with Thunder Bay Police on investigations into several fires in the Simpson Street area, but so far there is nothing suspicious about the most recent incident.
The fire broke out Tuesday night in the 600 block, destroying the Hell's Angels clubhouse and a building housing Rizzo's Cabinets.
There were no reported casualties.
The blaze followed a structural fire last week in the 500 block that razed a shed.
In August, a blaze in the 600 block destroyed a building containing apartments.
Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio says "At this point we're not suggesting a link to other vandalism fires in the area, but we are concerned about the number of fires."
In an interview Wednesday near the Hell's Angels clubhouse, Hankkio said it's too early to determine how the latest fire started, adding "there's no reason to suspect it's suspicious."
The Office of the Fire Marshal is conducting an investigation.
Hankkio said residents should also stay aware of what's going on in the neighbourhood.
"We want people to be diligent and be on the lookout for any suspicious activity" in the Simpson Street area.
Hankkio said fire crews arrived to find the fire "well-involved," and began an aggressive, sustained interior attack, but eventually had to adopt a defensive strategy.
He said that helped to protect the neighbouring Underground Gym from structural damage. It did, however, sustain water damage.
A view of the damaged buildings from the Hardisty Street side shows the impact of the fire more dramatically than on the Simpson Street side.
