10:09 a.m. update:
City police advise that all roads have been ree-opened and police are no longer on scene.
8:52 a.m. update:
Platoon Chief Richard Pihlaja tells SooToday the fire was largely confined to two apartments, although there was smoke damage to nine. As many as 20 people were displaced by the fire and will be for two or three days.
8 a.m. update:
The Ontario Fire Marshal's office has been contacted after an overnight fire at the 109-year-old Barnes Block at Queen and Gore. Two people were sent to hospital after multiple 911 calls were received at 2:24 a.m., platoon chief Stan Martynuk tells SooToday.
Injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. Cause of the fire is under investigation. Substantial fire damage is visible to apartments at the rear of the building.
Onlookers said a group of displaced tenants were seen huddled under blankets early this morning at the rear of the building.
Both Queen and Gore Street were reopened by 7:30 a.m. but Gore Street traffic was limited to one lane. The landmark 'mortar and pestle' building was built in 1902. For years, it was occupied by druggist T.T. Barnes. The Barnes Block is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Original release from Sault Ste. Marie Police Service:
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Today at approximately 2:30 a.m., officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and members of Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services responded to a residential fire in the 0-100 block of Queen Street East.
The building was evacuated and 2 people were transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
As a result, Queen Street East between Gore Street and Tancred Street, and Gore Street between Bay Street and Queen Street East are closed to traffic. Police ask the public to remain away from this area and find alternate routes to their destinations. They will advise the public when the roads have reopened.
If you have any information regarding these crimes, or any other crime, please call Crime Stoppers at 705-942-7867 or 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), submit an e-tip from the Crime Stoppers' website at www.saultcrimestoppers.com or text keyword SSM with your tip to 274637.
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