THUNDER BAY – The West Hotel on Simpson Street is on fire. NetNewsledger.com reader Derek Silver shares the following pictures of the incident.
Silver suggests that it is likely that Simpson Street will be closed for much of the day just as it was when the Triple 5 burnt down.
“As of 6:50 they’re still using the aerial platform but you can’t see many flames any more so I guess it is under control. The street will probably be closed all day like the Triple Nickel fire which still hasn’t been cleaned up,” states Silver.
The West Hotel, which is on fire this morning, was recently acquired by the City for nonpayment of taxes and was vested on Sept. 9, 2010.
The West and the building next door – the Army Navy Air Force Veterans Hall, another recent City acquisition – are both vacant buildings slated for demolition, starting next week. The contract has just been awarded to Taranis Contracting Group.
The demolitions are part of a strategic initiative to improve the appearance of neglected properties.
The building was under security watch. The cause of the fire is unknown.
More information specific to the fire will be issued by Thunder Bay Fire Rescue as appropriate.
Here is a short video supplied by Chris Taddeo of egiftwarehouse.ca , a business on Simpson street who supplied the video to NNL.