A volunteer fire hall in Mount Albert was destroyed after a fire ripped through the decades-old building early Sunday morning.
The blaze started at 8 a.m. in the East Gwillimbury Fire Station 2-6, which is one of three in the area.
Crews from a neighbouring community were able to get the fire under control, but not before the blaze engulfed the 40-year-old building in flames.
It is believed six fire vehicles were destroyed in the blaze, including a brand-new pumper worth approximately $750,000.
East Gwillimbury Mayor Virginia Hackson called it a ‘substantial loss’ for the community.
“We have our fire hall itself that we’ve lost, as well as all the equipment from our firefighters, all their safety equipment,” she said.
Meanwhile, residents are concerned about the potential loss of service in an emergency.
“Hopefully, nothing happens to anybody anytime soon, that we need the fire department to come to our house quickly,” one resident said.
But town officials say a plan is being worked out.
“Our focus is to ensure that the community of Mount Albert is maintaining its community safety,” said East Gwillimbury Fire Chief Phil Dawson.
The cause of the fire is not yet known. The Office of the Fire Marshal is investigating.
With a report by CTV Toronto’s Tamara Cherry
