Fort Erie’s firefighters are being hailed as heroes for working tirelessly for 16 hours straight to extinguish a massive fire that destroyed a historic former high school in the town. Fire Chief Mark Schmitt and Mayor Wayne Redekop commended the almost entirely volunteer firefighters for their dedication in battling the persistent blaze at the former Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School.
Niagara Regional Police have classified the incident as arson, with firefighters from all four fire stations responding to the fire on Ridge Road North around 1 a.m. on Monday. Despite facing challenging conditions, the firefighters successfully brought the fire under control, put out hot spots, and safeguarded the surrounding community.
Following the exhausting response, many volunteers either returned to their regular jobs or took personal time to recuperate from the physical strain. Chief Schmitt expressed pride in the professionalism and hard work displayed by the crews throughout the operation, emphasizing his gratitude for their exceptional performance.
Mayor Redekop acknowledged the firefighters for their arduous efforts in ensuring the safety of the community, highlighting their unwavering dedication to Fort Erie. The town noted the significant cultural and historical value of the empty former high school, particularly its 1927 front exterior designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Prior to the fire, demolition work had commenced on the building, with plans in place to preserve and integrate the facade into any future redevelopment projects. The town emphasized the meticulous care taken to protect the facade during firefighting operations while ensuring the complete extinguishment of the fire.
Despite the structural deterioration of the building, safety remained the primary focus during the fire response. The investigation into the incident is now under the jurisdiction of 5 District Criminal Investigative Branch (CIB), a specialized detective unit of the police service, in collaboration with the Fort Erie Fire Department. Detectives are urging residents and businesses in the vicinity to review any surveillance footage and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.