Slack Plaza fire investigation continues in Caledonia

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Fire investigators are now estimating the damage caused to the Slack Plaza in Caledonia is closer to three million dollars. But how it started and whether it was deliberately set still isn’t known. As an Ontario Fire Marshal Investigator sifts through and analyzes the damage to the Slack building, the impact of yesterday’s fire continues to scar some businesses in Caledonia. Carol Earl’s french fry stand is behind police tape. “I rely on that business for my living.”

Tim Hortons suffered a loss too but was happy to provide drinks and food to firefighters and victims. But the road closure on Argyle Street North had the opposite impact on Spratts Food Save on Thursday. “It was very very busy in here.” said Lisa Marr from Spratts Food Save. Hundreds of people walked by since they couldn’t drive on Argyle Street and entered the grocery store. “People wanting to check out the fire they saw things were on half price, they were curious and went to check out what’s going on down the street.”

Loving Angels thrift shop is offering victims of the fire dishes, furniture, clothes anything they could use, for free. Thrift store volunteer Carol Leger is there to help “We know they need it, this is a small town, we all come together when there’s a tragedy.”

Nicholas George lost his apartment and truck in the fire and is living in his RV for now. He’s happy he and his best friend Oscar are alive but says he likely lost about twenty thousand dollars worth of his belongings, some things priceless. ” In 1997 i was in an interbodybuilding competition and I had a big trophy to prove to the world that I made it to the top and that is gone to ashes. You can always replace material stuff, but not human life.”