A building at Davis Drive and Main Street, formerly home to Klein Horsman Carpet One, was on fire Saturday at about 8 p.m.
The fire has since been extinguished, but flames could be seen down Main Street Saturday evening and smoke continues to cover the area. Firefighters and police are still in the area.
As a result of the fire, the Davis Drive and Main Street intersection has been slowed down, with parts of Davis Drive closed by York Regional Police.
This is the second fire at the building in 13 months. It had previously suffered from major damage in a fire in June of 2022.
Local Phoenix O’Hara said he came to the scene after seeing a pillar of black smoke. He commented on this being the second time the building has become engulfed in flame.
“It’s crazy it happened twice,” O’Hara said.
A few months ago, the Town of Newmarket issued an order pressuring the land owner to demolish the building. The order said the owner needed to submit to either demolish or restore the building, or else the town would demolish the building itself and bill the owner.
“The town continues to work with the property owner to seek compliance on matters of property standards at this address,”development and infrastructure services commissioner Peter Noehammer said last month. ”At this time, the Town of Newmarket cannot disclose any information due to this being a legal matter with the town and the property owner at 435 Davis Dr."
Nearby resident Cory Satkevich said she came when she heard all the alarms in the area.
“There was a wall of smoke, I couldn’t even see a thing,” she said. “It was a huge mess.”
Updates will be provided when available.
-With files from Joseph Quigley
