UPDATE, Feb. 7, 2 p.m.: Central York Fire Services said the late-night fire at Meineke Car Centre began with smoke reported from the front administration office.
According to an incident report released this afternoon, fire crews forced entry into the building to extinguish the blaze and prevent fire and smoke from spreading to adjoining buildings. The building at 69 Davis Dr., at George Street near Yonge Street, was unoccupied when the incident occurred around 11 p.m.
The cause of the fire at the auto repair shop is unknown, the report stated.
Crews remained on scene into the early hours of Friday morning to ensure all hot spots were extinguished. Fire prevention staff remain on site today to investigate the cause of the matter.
The fire service deployed five fire trucks and one command vehicle to the site, along with collaborating with York Regional Police, York Region Paramedic Services and utility companies.
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Central York Fire Services responded to a late-night blaze at Meineke Car Care Centre in Newmarket Feb. 6-7.
Emergency responders came to the scene around 11 p.m., according to York Regional Police, due to a report of a fire at the site. Multiple fire trucks worked the scene, but a police officer at the site said nobody was hurt. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Newmarket residents reported a stench in the surrounding neighbourhood as a result of a fire at the auto shop. Others reported heavy smoke coming from the building.
"Crazy burning plastic smell and sirens everywhere, the stench is so strong definitely must be a big blaze," one area resident said on Facebook.
Firefighters continued attending the scene well past midnight. They could be seen working on the roof of the building, spraying water from the top.
Police closed a section of George Street during the response, at the intersection of Davis Drive.
NewmarketToday will update this story as more information is made available.