Fort Erie’s firefighters are being hailed as heroes for dedicating the equivalent of two full workdays to extinguish a massive fire that devastated a historic former high school in the town. Fire Chief Mark Schmitt and Mayor Wayne Redekop praised the firefighters, who are predominantly volunteers, for their relentless 16-hour effort to combat the stubborn blaze at the former Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School. The Niagara Regional Police have labeled the incident as arson.
Responding to the fire on Ridge Road North around 1 a.m. Monday, firefighters from all four fire stations battled challenging conditions to contain the fire, eliminate hot spots, and safeguard the nearby community. Despite exhaustion, many volunteers returned to their regular jobs or took personal time off to recuperate from the strenuous response.
In a statement released by the town on Tuesday, Fire Chief Schmitt commended the crews for their unwavering professionalism and exceptional performance throughout the operation, expressing immense pride and gratitude for their dedication.
The ongoing demolition of the building was interrupted by the fire. Mayor Redekop expressed gratitude to the firefighters for their arduous efforts in protecting the community, emphasizing their continuous commitment to Fort Erie’s safety. The former high school, with its significant historical and architectural value, had plans to preserve its original 1927 front exterior despite the demolition process. During firefighting operations, efforts were made to protect the facade while ensuring complete extinguishment of the fire.
With safety being the paramount concern due to the building’s deteriorating condition, the town highlighted the collaborative effort between 5 District Criminal Investigative Branch (CIB) and the Fort Erie Fire Department in the investigation. Police have urged residents and businesses in the vicinity to review any surveillance footage for suspicious activities and report them promptly.