Ebene Magazine – « We just lost everything »: The building in North Bay Midas goes up in flames

Alana Pickrell
CTV News video journalist from Northern Ontario

@APickrellCTV
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NORTH BAY –
With black smoke and ashes pouring out of the building, Patsy ONeil, co-owner of Midas, watched her shop go up in flames.

« We just lost everything, » she said with tears in her eyes. « My son also works here and lost his job. Everything we have in this shop is just gone. »

Firefighters were called to the car dealership on Main Street East at 10:49 a.m. on Monday, with all three stations responding to the emergency.

« On arrival we had a heavy fire in the building, thick black smoke, » said fire department chief Jason Whiteley. « We faced two employees who were injured in the fire. Given the nature of this building, a car service facility with the amount of flammable liquids, oils and acetylene tanks we are, we immediately went on the defensive Dealing with inside the building. « 

« My husband and son went to the hospital, » said ONeil. « You’re fine, you just have a few minor [injuries] on your body and I don’t know much more right now. »

ONeil says she has owned the North Bay store for 12 years and the loss is devastating.

« They were working on a car to turn off a gas tank and put a pump in, » ONeil said. « After that I don’t know what happened because I left the store. »

Crews were still on site until noon to bring the fire under control.

« We’re having an insistent gun battle in the office area right now because it’s in the false ceiling there, » Whiteley said. « So between the roof and the finished ceiling, and because we have not yet been able to enter the building, it will be a little more difficult. We have the upper hand over the fire now, but we will do it. » be a while longer. « 

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