Fire broke out on the top floor of an 18-storey building under construction in downtown St. Catharines Thursday.
At 10:50 a.m., St. Catharines Fire Services was called to the building at the corner of Carlisle and St. Paul streets for the fire that started in the mechanical room on the 17th floor.
Fire Chief Dave Upper said the fire spread to the roof, and — severely hampering the response — the building’s elevator wasn’t working, meaning crews had to take the stairs.
“The elevator was compromised in the fire so our crews are slugging up 17 floors,” he said.
At 11:40 a.m., Upper said firefighters had largely gotten the blaze under control, although he suspected they would remain on the scene for quite some time putting out hot spots.
“We just want to make sure, with a new build, every nook and cranny is covered,” he said.
In all, seven department vehicles and 25 firefighters were called to the scene.
Carlisle Street, at the bus terminal, was blocked off between King and St. Paul streets to facilitate firefighters’ efforts.