At approximately 06:26 hours Police, Fire and EMS responded to a structure fire in the 200 block of 10th Street East. Approximately 10 people were evacuated from apartments above the restaurant. The fire was limited to the kitchen area which suffered significant damage. Owen Sound Fire with the assistance of Inter-Township Fire was able to extinguish the blaze before it damaged surrounding buildings.

Fire Chief Doug Barfoot estimated the structural damage to be between $75,000 and $100,000 with an additional $200,000 in content damage.

Three persons including two police officers were treated and released from hospital for smoke inhalation. There were no other reported injuries.

All but one of the tenants was going to be able to return to their apartments later today. The displaced tenant made arrangements to stay with a friend until he could return to his apartment. Victim Services along with the Canadian Red Cross attended the scene to assist those affected by the fire.

The fire caused some traffic congestion as both 10th Street East and 3rd Avenue East were shut down to accommodate the emergency vehicles and equipment however was opened up by 08:45 hours.

Police would like to thank the Circle K convenience store for allowing the displaced tenants to use the store as a warming centre.

The Owen Sound Fire Service found nothing to suggest the fire was a result of foul play. They will however continue to investigate in an attempt to identify the fire source.

source: media release, OSPS