A structure fire early Wednesday morning destroyed a detached shop on Windham Road 13 in Norfolk County.
The Norfolk County Fire Department was dispatched to the scene at approximately 2:30 a.m. on December 31, where crews arrived to find the building fully engulfed in flames.
Four fire stations, totaling approximately 30 firefighters, responded to the incident and worked for about an hour to bring the fire under control.
Thanks to their quick actions, the blaze did not spread to a nearby residence, gas pumps, or other outbuildings on the property.
The shop reportedly contained tools, snowmobiles, and vehicles, and is considered a total loss.
Firefighters faced challenging conditions, including cold temperatures and icy surfaces, while battling the blaze.
No injuries were reported, and the incident is not being treated as suspicious at this time. Fire operations were still ongoing following the initial response, and an investigation into the cause remains underway.
Motorists are being asked to avoid Windham Road 13 between Fertilizer Road and Windham West Quarter Line while crews continue working in the area.
Officials say further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
As a reminder, the Norfolk County Fire Department is encouraging residents to make fire safety a priority in the new year by testing smoke alarms and ensuring working alarms are installed on every level of their homes.