Clarington Emergency and Fire Services were called to a fire at the former Goodyear Lands in downtown Bowmanville shortly after midnight on Monday, October 13. The fire is now under control, and crews remained on scene monitoring hot spots and smoke conditions, according to the Municipality of Clarington.
In an update posted October 14, the municipality said crews determined the fire began on the roof, which later collapsed into the building. Excavators were brought in to remove a section of damaged wall along the north side as a safety precaution and to help ensure the fire was fully extinguished.
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks attended the scene on the afternoon of October 13, collected two water samples from Bowmanville Creek for analysis, and determined that air-quality testing was not needed. The ministry is continuing to work with the property owner, the municipality said.
Because of extensive damage, Clarington’s Deputy Chief Building Official issued an “Order to Remedy Unsafe” under the Ontario Building Code, requiring the landowner to demolish the building safely in accordance with provincial regulations to protect the local environment and community.
The municipality is urging residents to stay off the property, saying the building is structurally unstable and extremely dangerous, and is especially reminding teens and young adults not to enter or explore the site. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Source: Municipality of Clarington, “Updated: Fire at former Goodyear Lands”
Source: Municipality of Clarington
