Windsor fire crews continue battling a stubborn blaze at the Gel Tech plant in Walkerville, September 19. 2018. (Photo courtesy of Ruth Stewart)Windsor fire crews continue battling a stubborn blaze at the Gel Tech plant in Walkerville, September 19. 2018. (Photo courtesy of Ruth Stewart)
Windsor

UPDATE: Fire burns for hours at plant in Walkerville (VIDEO)

An investigator will be at the scene of a stubborn fire at the former Accucaps plant in Windsor after it burned through the night.

Windsor Fire and Rescue officials said the industrial building on Argyle Road south of Ottawa Street caught fire around noon on Wednesday.

They said heavy equipment was being brought in to dismantle the building and help put out hot spots.

Fire officials asked people near the fire to keep their windows closed and stay inside, because the area is still very smoky. They confirm there are no toxic materials in the warehouse and workers got out safely.

Four aerial trucks and three ground hose crews were on the scene at one point fighting the blaze because it kept flaring up. At some points, flames were shooting out of the roof of the building. The fire spread about 100 yards from one end of the building to the other, but fire officials say it was contained to the warehouse. At its peak, heavy smoke could be seen in east Windsor around 4 p.m.

The Shoppers Drug Mart and Classic Bingo were evacuated and closed for the day around 4 p.m.  They are open again on Thursday.

Windsor Fire and Rescue said due to changing fire conditions at Argyle and Ottawa, a voluntary evacuation was put in place for residents living from Ottawa St. to Shepherd Ave. and Argyle Rd. to Kildare Rd. A reception centre was set up at Gino Marcus Community Centre on Drouillard Road for residents wishing to evacuate their homes. The centre was closed to the public around 10:30 p.m. and fire officials advised the public to call 211 if shelter or accommodation is required.

The City of Windsor joint emergency command unit also responded to the scene.

Police closed Ottawa St. to traffic between Kildare Rd. and Monmouth Rd. as fire crews battle the stubborn inferno. Ottawa St. reopened early Thursday, and Argyle Rd. just after 8 a.m.

Enwin said water may appear discoloured or contain sediment between Walker Rd. and Windermere Rd., and Ontario St. and Seneca St. because of the massive fire. Enwin officials said the water is safe and to let it run until it is clear.

BlackburnNews.com will provide more information as it becomes available.

[video width="848" height="480" mp4="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/video-1537388882.mp4"][/video]

There is no cause yet or estimated fire damage. Nobody was hurt.

Windsor fire crews continue battling a stubborn blaze at the Gel Tech plant in Walkerville, September 19. 2018. (Photo courtesy of Paul Pedro)Windsor fire crews continue battling a stubborn blaze at the Gel Tech plant in Walkerville, September 19. 2018. (Photo courtesy of Paul Pedro)

Windsor fire crews continue battling a stubborn blaze at the Gel Tech plant in Walkerville, September 19. 2018. (Photo courtesy of Rhonda Zimmer)Windsor fire crews continue battling a stubborn blaze at the Gel Tech plant in Walkerville, September 19. 2018. (Photo courtesy of Rhonda Zimmer)

Windsor fire crews continue battling a stubborn blaze at the Gel Tech plant in Walkerville. (Photo by Paul Pedro)Windsor fire crews continue battling a stubborn blaze at the Gel Tech plant in Walkerville. (Photo by Paul Pedro)

Warning: video contains some profanity.

 

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