Fire ravaged a number of downtown buildings on Tuesday evening on Colborne Street at King. BRIAN THOMPSON / THE EXPOSITOR
The new owners of the Waffles and Crepes Cafe were loving their new downtown business and looking forward to a busy Valentine’s Day.
But everything came to a halt Tuesday night when a fire two doors down at 64 Colborne St. also did extensive damage to the cafe’s structure at 60 Colborne.
“Everything’s ruined,” said Bonnie Robinson, who owns the business with her husband, Paul.
“There was so much smoke and the water was just flowing like rivers and waterfalls out the doors for hours. The next morning, they were still pumping water on it.”
Robinson said that, on Tuesday night, two of her employees were at work, washing dishes in then kitchen when a tenant came downstairs and alerted them to the fire.
“I’m very thankful. I don’t think anyone would have known they were there.”
Robinson said the same tenant was able to rescue a dog trapped in the apartment where the fire is believed to have started.
Deputy Fire Chief Todd Binkley said the fire remains under investigation with no answers at this point as to how it started or how much damage was caused.
“We had all four stations involved and we even called in off-duty personnel,” said Binkley.
“Insurance adjusters are working with the city’s building inspection department and property standards to do a damage assessment and determine when, and if, people can return.”
Binkley said a number of residents were evacuated Tuesday night.
Robinson said she was told damage at her building, at Colborne and King streets, isn’t structural but will require major renovations before the cafe can reopen.
“We purchased it three months ago and we just love the location. Last Saturday, was our biggest day since we opened and we had lots of reservations booked for Valentine’s Day with live music.”
She said she’s been unable to notify those with reservations since her list was destroyed.
Robinson noted that donations are being collected of household items, clothing and toiletries for tenants who have been displaced by the fire or who have lost their possessions.
Susan Bridle, owner of Old World Marketplace at 203 Colborne St., offered space to hold donated items during business hours from Tuesday to Friday and until 4 p.m. Saturday.
“I think a lot of the tenants didn’t have content insurance,” Robinson said. “But we have a huge following on Facebook and people have been so supportive. Many are promising to come out to eat when we reopen.”
Brantford firefighters also were busy Wednesday morning when fire broke out at the former Brantford Hotel at 666 Colborne St., which has been ordered demolished by the city.
“That fire is also still under investigation,” said Binkley.
“It was primarily a contents fire but the damage extended to the roof.”
Binkley said he has no estimate of damage.
“The building was slated for demolition, so it’s tough to put a value on it.”
The hotel was purchased in 2016 with plans to renovate it into a Four Points by Sheraton hotel but renovation work quickly stopped and, over the years the property was vandalized. Last March, a fire there was quickly extinguished.
The city won a legal fight with the property owner, with an order signed by the courts to have the building down by April 30.
Link to original article on brantfordexpositor.ca: Donations collected for fire victims