Hundreds of pieces of art were damaged in an early morning fire in downtown London.
Firefighters were called to 430 Richmond St. around 4:30am on Wednesday after fire broke out inside the three-storey building, which houses the gallery Artisan's Alley.
Art gallery owner David O'Dell discovered the blaze after the building's security company alerted him to an alarm for breaking glass.
"When I went in the place was filled with smoke. I grabbed the telephone, ran outside, phoned the fire department and they were here within ten minutes," said O'Dell, whose gallery and framing shop encompass the first and second floors of the building. The third floor, which is vacant, was undergoing renovations.
Flames were not visible from the street when fire crews arrived. No one was injured in the blaze but O'Dell said damage to the hundreds of pieces of art is extensive.
"It's pretty much all been damaged, either by water or by smoke, not by fire," said O'Dell. "The fire was mostly on the second and third floors."
A firefighter cordons off Artisan's Alley at 430 Richmond St. following early morning blaze, March 29, 2017. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News)
Firefighters helped O'Dell remove much of the art after the fire was extinguished. Owners of neighbouring businesses also offered their assistance.
"Mike from the Music Hall next door has kindly let us use his place to put the art in as we pulled it out of our place," said O'Dell. "Tom from Spageddy Eddy's has given us rags and whatever help we needed. Natalie from Anthony's Bistro has been over here wiping down paintings. Everyone has been very, very good and the fire department is terrific."
O'Dell has operated Artisan's Alley on Richmond for 38 years.
At this point it is unclear what started the fire.
"The fire remains under investigation and we have not come up with a damage estimate at this time," said Ryan Dick, London fire prevention inspector.
He anticipates fire officials will remain on scene for the entire day.
Richmond between Queens Ave. and Dundas St. was blocked off by police during the morning commute. It was partially reopened shortly after 11am.