Billowing smoke could be seen in the night sky throughout much of Orillia as large bales of cardboard stored behind a downtown building went up in flames Saturday night.
Orillia firefighters along with firefighters from Rama and Ramara Township battled the "large outdoor fire" behind the former Packet & Times building at 31 Colborne St. E. last night.
The blaze erupted at about 11 p.m. and prompted the closure of Peter Street, between Colborne and Elgin streets, for several hours.
"When the crews arrived, they found about 40 large bales of cardboard burning," said Orillia Deputy Fire Chief Chris Ferry.
"We had to have a backhoe and loader from Orillia Public Works attend to assist with pulling the bales of cardboard apart to fully extinguish them," he explained of the stubborn blaze.
During the fire, all residents were urged to stay inside with windows and doors closed due to the noxious odour and smoke.
Ferry said there were 16 firefighters on scene for about four-and-a-half hours fighting the fire.
"The fire is considered suspicious," said Ferry, who said the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office has been notified. He said Orillia OPP are also investigating the incident.
Ferry said it's not known who owns the building or what, if any, business is operating out of that location.