The effort to extinguish a stubborn fire in east London left firefighters with no choice but to knock down the boarded up building it originated in.
Fire crews were called to the two-storey commercial structure at 720 Cabell St., east of Rectory Street around 1:10 a.m. Thursday. When firefighters arrived on scene, the building was consumed by flames, making it too dangerous to enter.
"[Crews] took a defensive stance outside as they couldn't go in because at any point the roof or walls could collapse," said Platoon Chief Kirk Loveland.
As of 10 a.m., crews remained on scene working to douse the flames. Heavy equipment was being brought in to knock the building down so the fire could be fully extinguished, said Loveland.
It is believed there was no one inside the building when the fire broke out, however, crews have not been able to confirm this. No injuries have been reported.
Damage is estimated at $300,000.
Whether the blaze is considered suspicious is not yet known.
"Until we determine the circumstances and origin cause of the fire, we really can't say," said Loveland.
Fire officials have asked the public to avoid the area while they remain on scene.
London police are assisting fire officials in the investigation.
Incident update: crews responded at approximately 1:30 a.m. to a structure fire at 720 Cabell St. Fire crews continue to fight the fire in defensive mode (from outside the structure). Unknown injuries. Please avoid the area. #ldnont pic.twitter.com/5zNJ0xNXHb
— London Fire Department (@LdnOntFire) March 30, 2023