Three buildings have been destroyed following a massive fire in the town of Bothwell.
According to Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue, around 40 firefighters from multiple stations responded to the fire at the Bothwell Diner on Main Street shortly before 3 a.m. on Friday to find the blaze spreading to the neighbouring buildings.
Demolition of the buildings was required to fully extinguish hotspots. As a result, the diner, along with the town’s post office and general store, has been completely destroyed.
Crews from Enbridge responded to the scene to address a gas line rupture, which had been feeding the fire. As well, staff from Chatham-Kent’s Economic Development team attended the scene to assist the business owner affected by the fire.
Fire officials said no one was injured in the fire and a damage estimate is still being calculated.
Zone Township Central School issued a notice to families Friday morning, offering support through the school’s Psychology Department for students who may need help processing their feelings.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of the devastating fire that occurred this morning and is still being responded to in the heart of Bothwell. Our hearts go out to all who have been impacted by this loss,” the statement reads. “In these challenging times, it is important to remember that we are here for one another. We understand that such events can evoke a range of emotions, including fear, sadness, and uncertainty, especially for our students.”
Firefighters remained at the scene until shortly after 11 a.m. and have determined that the cause of the fire was accidental.
