VIA KW RECORD
Fire destroys businesses in Waterloo plaza
Robert Wilson, Record staff
Firefighters use an aerial ladder to pour water on the blaze that tore through businesses at the Campus Court Plaza in Waterloo this morning.
Robert Wilson, Record staff
A fire tore through businesses at the Campus Court Plaza in Waterloo this morning. The blaze broke out around 5:30 a.m. at 140 University Ave. W., a short distance from the University of Waterloo.
Robert Wilson, Record staff
A major fire tore through businesses at the Campus Court Plaza in Waterloo this morning. The blaze broke out around 5:30 a.m. at the plaze at 140 University Avenue West, a short distance from the University of Waterloo.
Robert Wilson, Record staff
Emergency crews are fighting a fire that is tearing through businesses at the Campus Court Plaza in Waterloo this morning including Mel's Diner. 1
Robert Wilson, Record staff
Firefighters use an aerial ladder to pour water on the blaze that tore through businesses at the Campus Court Plaza in Waterloo this morning.
April 22, 2010
By Cherri Greeno, Record staff
WATERLOO – A fire Thursday morning destroyed several businesses in a Waterloo plaza.
Businesses affected by the blaze at the Campus Court plaza, 140 University Ave. W., include Mel’s Diner, Tabu, Mr. Sushi, University Vision Centre, Sugar Mountain and Caesar Martini’s.
“This is the saddest day of my life,” said Benny Afrouzi, owner of University Vision Centre. “That’s 22 years of work there.”
Owners of the stores were called shortly after the blaze broke out around 5:30 a.m. They stood crying and hugging each other as firefighters tried to save their businesses.
Afrouzi said he employed seven people at the business, who are now out of their jobs. They’ve had about 40,000 patients “that we’ve looked after all these years,” he said. All of the patient charts are now destroyed, he said.
“We’re just asking our patients to be patient,” Afrouzi said, “until we find a solution to this disaster.”
Acting Waterloo Fire Chief Larry Brassard said when firefighters arrived, the building was engulfed in flames. It has a combustible roof structure, which means “you don’t stop them (flames),” he said.
Three aerial trucks had to be called in so firefighters could climb high and soak the roof with water.
“It’s a devastating event for anybody,” Brassard said. “Fire is a life-changing event, whether it’s your home or business.”
The plaza is surrounded by student housing. Many residents along Lester Street and University Avenue were evacuated because of the thick smoke.
Bilal Yousuf, a third-year University of Waterloo student, said he awoke to the fire alarm going off in his building. He looked across the street and saw “big flames, massive flames.
“I was scared of the gas, that there could be a leak and this building could catch fire,” he said.
Faizan Baig, also a third-year University of Waterloo student, said he was upset to see the destruction.
“I was planning on going there today (to Mel’s Diner). That’s pretty disappointing.”
Chris Waddilove was working the night shift at a nearby RIM office and had just gone outside for a cigarette break when he saw smoke. At first he thought his building was testing generators.
Then, he realized it was a fire.
“There were immense flames pouring from the roof,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of fires. . . but nothing this big.”
He shot video on his cell phone.
Susan Griesbaum, property manager for Campus Court Development, said she was in shock when she received the phone call Thursday morning. She came out to the scene to talk to the owners.
“There are a loss of jobs, loss of businesses,” she said. “It’s a real shock for everybody.”
Waterloo Regional Police blocked roads at University Avenue and Seagram Drive, and at University Avenue and Lester Street.
Our condolences go out to all involved in this fire, we are heavily involved in this area and have been attending and working in this establishment for many years. Across the Board Entertainment is extending our support to these affected businesses and are willing to help in any way possible
Pic courtesy of Universal Linxs:
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