Queen Street East to remain closed all evening (update, 9 photos)

3:37 p.m. update:

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service has issued the following update:

Officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service are still at the scene of a fire that consumed a building in the 200 block of Queen Street East earlier today. 

At this time the fire is under control, however Queen Street between Dennis Street and Bruce Street will remain closed for the rest of the evening. 

Officers and Firefighters responded to the fire at approximately 5:15 a.m. and the block was quickly evacuated. No injuries have been reported at this time and the Ontario Fire Marshalls office has been called in to assist with the investigation.

The Street closure is expected to have a minimal impact on the opening ceremonies for the 2019 Ontario Special Olympic Winter Games. Limited parking is available at the GFL Memorial Gardens, the surrounding city streets and Station Mall parking lot.

3:19 p.m. original story:

Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services advises that the scene of today's fire has been turned over to the Ontario Fire Marshal.

As is obvious from the above photos, the fire has destroyed businesses and caused massive damage to at least two buildings in the 200 block of Queen Street East.

The fire was called in shortly after 5 a.m. and firefighters battled the blaze for much of the day today in frigid temperatures.