Fire destroys Welland landmark

A Welland landmark went up in flames over the weekend.

The former Liquidation World in the Fitch street plaza was completely destroyed Saturday after a fire broke out at around 9:30 p.m.

It took about 40 firefighters from Welland and Thorold along with two aerial pumpers to contain the blaze.

One firefighter was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation but is OK.

The store had recently been taken over by new owners and was set to re-open next week.

The Dollar Tree in the plaza had significant smoke damage, but the rest of the strip mall was saved.

Crews will spend the next few days securing the building.

The chief estimates damages to be around $2 million.

About 10 people who worked in the Dollar Tree are out of a job until repairs and restoration are done.

The LCBO in the plaza was closed Sunday due to the fire.

The Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to investigate.