[vid]

Fire guts Bank of Commerce building
Tb News Source | Web Posted: 2/9/2007 8:31:00 AM (http://www.tbsource.com/localnews/index.asp?cid=92217)

Fire met ice late Thursday night, and fire won, taking with it one of Thunder Bay’s landmark buildings.

At least seven fire trucks were on scene at the Bank of Commerce building at 409 Victoria Ave. East. Smoke poured from broken windows on the top two floors of the stone-faced building that was designated in 1994 as a heritage property by the city. At the back entrance, flames licked the sky as three trucks pumped a steady stream of water through -20 C temperatures.

Firefighters battled the blaze from both sides of the building for several hours, and appeared to have the fire under control by 3 a.m.

A sign on the front of the building indicated it was available for sale or lease. Sources at the scene said there was at least one apartment unit located in the building.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. No word on any injuries.

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/8968/bankofcanadabuildingea6.jpg

It was one of my favourite buildings. :( They called all eight fire stations to the scene.

I'll get pictures of the building as soon as possible. My camera is broken but Chronicle Journal will likely have it on their site tomorrow.

[Taller Better]

OMG that is horrible! Are they going to be able to save the facade? It is a black day for Thunder Bay.

I'll bet a few people are wondering if it was an insurance fire..

[Lyle]

That's terrible. What a gem.

[PhilippeMtl]

http://www.tbsource.com/SuperNova/Content/Images/43907586.jpg.jpg

[harls]

Shitty. I've never heard of an eight-alarm fire before, I thought Five was the highest - or maybe I'm just thinking of chicken wings..

[shreddog]

Wow! That bank was the first place I had my own account in. I'm surprised that the buildings on either side didn't also light up.

Hey Vid, do you know if Habib owned that one? He owns Magicals and the old Zellers building across the street. Will be interesting to see what they do with that block now.

[flar]

Sad, that was a fine building. Let us know if the facade can be saved.

[vid]

They said on the TBNews report that the roof collapsed. I don't recall reading that in the updated TBSource report.

==

Fire guts Bank of Commerce Building
Tb News Source | Web Posted: 2/9/2007 8:31:00 AM (http://www.tbsource.com/localnews/index.asp?cid=92217)

Fire met ice late Thursday night, and fire won, taking with it one of Thunder Bay’s landmark structures.

At least seven fire trucks were on scene overnight at the Bank of Commerce building at 409 Victoria Ave. East. Smoke poured from broken windows on the top two floors of the majestic building that was designated in 1994 as a heritage property by the city.

Designed by architect V.D. Horsbugh, the building, complete with its four massive terra cotta columns using clay imported from England, offiicially opened its doors on July 11, 1911.

Ironically, said Dave Kutson, chairman of the city's heritage advisory committee, the material was used in part because of its fireproofing qualities.

Knutson called it a huge loss for the city and that careful thought must be put into any new building erected in its place.

"The loss of heritage buildings represents the loss of a style of architecture and the materials that reflect a time in the development of our community that can't be replaced," said Knutson.

"The cost of creating a structure with te equivalent level of style and quality materials is prohibitive in today's ecnomy. The building that replaces a lost heritage structure must relfect present conditions in terms of modern needs, styling and economics. A lost heritage building is not replaceable."

At the back entrance, flames licked the sky as three trucks pumped a steady stream of water through -20 C temperatures.

Firefighters battled the blaze from both sides of the building for several hours, and appeared to have the fire under control by 3 a.m.

A sign on the front of the building indicated it was available for sale or lease. Sources at the scene said there was at least one apartment unit located in the building.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. No word on any injuries.

===

By the looks of that picture, the façade CAN be saved, hopefully. But they talk about reconstruction, so I'm worried.

I don't know if Habib owns the building or not. On TBNews they said the owner of the building lived in the apartment on the second floor, and was the one who called fire.

Eight alarm fire - The city has eight fire stations, all of them were called to the scene.

I don't think it was an insurance fire, it's a historical building so if it is and they find out, he will be facing very stiff penalties. It has been on the market for about a decade though, so I can understand why it might seem to be.

The neighbouring buildings didn't catch fire, probably because of the materials this building is made of. Like the TBsource report says, it was built to last.

My aunt lives a few blocks away from there, she said that there was another building fire shortly after this one, about a block away. It may be arson? When I found out about the other possible fire I'll post it.

[feepa]

*yawn* should this really be in Canada? and not in the Ontario sub forum?

Like big deal ...really. Nice building, so sad it burnt. Big deal. Shit happens.

[vid]

It's funny, I make fun of Edmonton once and he just won't let me go. :)

You are the vidioman to my stanzmastertron, feepa.

[Greco Roman]

So then why are there so many threads such as

1 Edmonton, the boom that isnt

2. Edmonton - Dedicated Green Community
or
3.Edmonton girl to sing anthem in NHL first at Saddledome

in the Canada section when it only has to do with Edmonton? Why would the rest of Canada care?

Who cares if this thread is here or somewhere else? Let this thread stay here.

[vid]

Exactly. If there is a problem then mods will move it to Ontario. As long as no one else worried about that it's fine.

It's not like this is interrupting other threads in the process.

[Greco Roman]

Exactly. If there is a problem then mods will move it to Ontario. As long as no one else worried about that it's fine.

It's not like this is interrupting other threads in the process.

Watch, I'm gonna get in shit for my comment ;)

[feepa]

Exactly. If there is a problem then mods will move it to Ontario. As long as no one else worried about that it's fine.

It's not like this is interrupting other threads in the process.

Whatever, I'll just let it drop, but leave this as a parting comment. I don't agree that those Edmonton articles should stay in here either. I thought the purpose of the Canada forum was for articles and news that pertained to skyscrapers, and urban form, and architecture of national interest. This is hardly that (nor is the Edmonton articles, as cited above). I suppose any major fire of building thats old and 3 stories or more taller should get its rightful place in this section!

As my Jerry Springer Final thought: I guess it doesn't really matter, since this Canada forum is fairly under-used anyways.

[vid]

This is the 213th tallest building in Thunder Bay. I think it deserves a place. :)

It has more to do with urban issues than an anthem at a hockey game. An important part of this city's history has burned down.

[SpongeG]

canadians are a mess

sorry about the building vid

[shreddog]

Sad, that was a fine building. Let us know if the facade can be saved.

Knutson called it a huge loss for the city and that careful thought must be put into any new building erected in its place.

The sad reality is that the facade will not likely be saved in place, nor will anything be built in this spot. That block on Victoria is already a wasteland with 3 other empty lots where other buildings have burned down. Within a 2 block radius I can probably think of at least another 6 vacant lots due to fire - most in a much more desirable location (old Triffon's pizza for example).

Sad to say that DT Fort William is well past life support and will not likely see any new building constructed. Sharing the same block as this building are a cheesy golf shop, a pawn shop and a discount pharmacy. Not the businesses likely to demand premium space.

Interestingly enough, this particular block had seen another major fire that was a defining moment in Fort William's history - in the early 70's the premier DT department store -Copper-Stitt - (IMHO) was just west of this bldg and when it burned down was when the area first started to see a decline in pedestration traffic. That too was a winter fire - I still remember the series of photos showing the firefighters covered in ice. Not sure how many trucks responded to that one, but all us kids were in awe.

Again too, looking forward to the photo's Vid.

[vid]

Fire guts Bank of Commerce Building
Leith Dunick - Tb News Source | Web Posted: 2/9/2007 7:54:24 PM [video (http://www.tbsource.com/localnews/index.asp?cid=92217)]

It’s unlikely a cause will ever be determined in Friday morning’s fire that destroyed the Bank of Commerce building on Victoria Avenue.

Capt. Bob Walters of the Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue Service’s fire prevention and inspection division said conditions inside the heritage building are too dangerous at this point to make that determination.

"We can’t do an investigation at this point, because the roof, the third-level ceiling, is now sitting on the second floor," Walters said Friday afternoon in a hastily called news conference outside the 96-year old structure. "We know that the fire started somewhere between the second level and the roof. That’s basically all we know at this point in time."

Thirty-two firefighters from throughout the city responded to the call, which was received at 11:53 p.m. on Thursday. A total of seven pumpers, two aerial ladders and the mobile command unit were on scene overnight.

"We’re probably not going to get a cause," Walters said. "It’s going to be undetermined at this point in time, because it’s not ever going to be safe to go in there and do the kind of work we need to do to find a cause."

The fire, and the resulting water damage, forced city officials to shut Victoria Avenue down to traffic between May and Simpson streets, though pedestrians were allowed to use the south-side sidewalk.

No one is believed to have been inside the structure, whose terra cotta façade and four giant columns made it a landmark in the Victoriaville area. The building’s lone occupant, its owner, was not at home at the time the fire broke out. Residents in apartments above an adjacent golf-supply store were evacuated in the minutes after fire crews first arrived, but were allowed to return Friday morning after it was determined the fire had not spread.

No firefighters were seriously injured fighting the blaze, other than a couple of minor cases of frostbite. Deputy fire chief John McCullough said given the –20 C temperatures experienced during the incident, it was lucky those were the only casualties.

"The other danger is you lose the mobility in your body," he said. "So a slip-and-falls are a big thing. We were actually quite fortunate that the guys worked diligently and they worked safely. It was a cold night."

When firefighters arrived, smoke was pouring from the windows on the upper two levels. They entered the building and climbed the stairs in search of the flames, a task easier said than done, said Walters.

"The fire had already consumed the level above them and was going through the roof level. If you understand these buildings, it’s level on top of level, but in between the top level and the roof line, there’s about a four-foot void space there," he said.

"The fire was obviously in that void space running around there, but the firefighters (couldn’t) find it, because they (couldn’t) get to it."

Within an hour or so, all firefighters were evacuated from the building, although the aerial cranes continued blasting jets of ice-cold water from above, while crews on the ground assaulted it from below.

Flames lit up the sky at the rear of the building, and it soon became apparent the building was lost.

The bank, which Friday stood stoically, coated in thick sheets of ice, was originally designed by architect V.D. Horsburgh, and opened its doors in 1911. Built in a classical revival style, it designated a heritage property in 1994, and had recently been put up for sale.

An e-mail request for its value to the real estate broker was not immediately answered. Walters said the fire is not being treated as a crime scene.

Dave Knutson, chairman of the city’s Heritage Advisory Committee, called the fire a devastating loss for Thunder Bay’s south side.

"The building was one of the more substantial structures within the 400-block streetscape and reflected a time when this district was the financial hub of the old city of Fort William," Knutson said. "It’s loss has an immediate impact on the character of the area and represents lost potential opportunity as an asset that could have played a role in the renewal of the south core."

Fire officials expected to remain on scene for several hours, and possibly overnight until crews clean up the street and knock down menacing icicles hanging above the sidewalk.

Around the area:

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/4629/clipboard01gz1.jpg
The red X is the location of the Bank Of Commerce.

1 (http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/8891/victoriablockat0.jpg). Barbies Variety - located to the west (left) of the Bank
2 (http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/5699/madgicalsbuildingdt7.jpg). Madgicals Golf - located to the east (right) of the Bank
3 (http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/7585/roybuildingib0.jpg). Roy Building - located directly across from the Bank
4 (http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/4282/amethystbuildingyc0.jpg). Amethyst Gift Centre - located to the east (left) of the Roy Building. The building beside was torn down, this one has been on fire numerous times.
5 (http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/5269/diamondbuildinglg5.jpg). and 6 (http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/989/warehouseoi8.jpg).: Abandoned buildings on North Street

---

So, it won't be restored, the building is officially gone. Two steps back for the South End BIA. :(

Though now that this is gone, perhaps we could convince the province to put the court house at this location? Provided Habib will remove his monstrosity of a golf store. (Click 2. to see what I mean. :yuck:)

[Greco Roman]

Man, that golf store isn't even worthy for bums to stay in. What the hell is the owner thinking (or smoking)?

[Stanzmastertron3000]

Victory is mine.

[vid]

Man, that golf store isn't even worthy for bums to stay in. What the hell is the owner thinking (or smoking)?

Prolly mexican donkey pot. :) Owning a building like that, he wouldn't be able to afford better.

Seriously though, it's more of an eyesore than the burnt out bank beside it. :) I would gladly tear it down.

[vid]

Great news, everyone!

Landmark bank building can be saved, says owner
By JULIO GOMES of The Chronicle Journal | Feb 22, 2007, 23:57
http://66.244.236.251/article_11076.php

The owner of a landmark building gutted by fire nearly two weeks ago has no intention of taking it down or walking away.
“I’d like to get in there and start cleaning before the weather gets mild,” Terry Bordynuik said in an interview Wednesday.
Since a late-night fire Feb. 8 ravaged the interior of the former Canadian Bank of Commerce building on Victoria Avenue, Bordynuik has been busy assessing the damage and exploring his options.
“The initial depression has worn off,” Bordynuik said gamely, glancing back at the burnt upper floors of the ornate three-storey building.
An examination by a building engineer has confirmed the structure’s foundation is not damaged and many of the support beams are in good condition.
Along with burnt walls and a collapsed roof, most of the damage is from water used to beat down the fire.
“That building is very repairable,” Bordynuik said.
But he concedes the restoration will be an expensive and time-consuming effort.

The building, constructed in 1910-11, boasts a Classical Revival style of architecture, with four massive columns framing a terra cotta facade. This allowed for “elaborate detailing and ‘fire-proof’ construction,” said Dave Knutson, chairman of the city’s heritage advisory committee.
The building was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1994.
Bordynuik, 56, said he bought the property in 1999.
“The price was right and when I looked at it, I just fell in love,” he explained.
He had an idea to open a private club in the spacious first and second floor.
“That was the intention. I was going to slowly work at it,” he said, chuckling wryly.
He recently put the property back on the market. The asking price was $179,900.
The third-floor apartment, which used to be home to the bank’s manager, had been renovated and Bordynuik spent most of his time there. For a while, his son, Derek, occupied the second floor.
The main floor was open and featured a pool table, exercise equipment and assorted furniture.
It was one of Derek’s friends who noticed the fire trucks overnight Feb. 8-9 and notified the Bordynuiks. When Terry arrived to an eerie scene of smoke and icy water, he was in shock.
“You’re kind of numb,” he recalled of his reaction.
“There’s just nothing you can do. You’re (feeling) helpless.”
All of Bordynuik’s belongings were destroyed in the blaze, including several pieces of antique furniture.
“We had everything stored in there. A little bit of this, a little bit of that,” he said.
Most heartbreaking, though, were the dozens of portrait and landscape paintings his late mother, Mary Bordynuik, had created. They were all lost.
The cause of the fire is listed as undetermined. Thunder Bay Fire Service inspectors believe the fire started between the second level and the roof.
Bordynuik said he has no further information on how the fire started.
He is dealing with an adjuster to determine what will be covered by insurance.
“I don’t know where I’m going with that yet,” he said. “To be honest, I’d like to rebuild it. I’d hate to see it torn down.”
In a Feb. 9 statement, Knutson said the building is an asset that could have played a role in the renewal of the south downtown core.
Knutson said it’s the oldest bank building in Thunder Bay.

http://66.244.236.251/uploads/web_cibc_windows_close.jpg
The former Bank of Commerce on Victoria Avenue has been ravaged by fire, but its owner says the building can be saved.

Last Saturday, another building burned down, an abandoned block in the north end that was home to about a dozen squatters.

http://66.244.236.251/article_11043.php
http://66.244.236.251/article_11030.php
http://66.244.236.251/uploads/fire_excavator_web.jpg

I believe the fire may have been started by squatters having a fire get out of control, as people I heard people were seen leaving the building that morning. I saw the fire in progress that morning on my weekly run to get the Saturday paper. It filled the terminal with noxious smoke. The building was a print shop, but that part of the building didn't catch fire. It was in an apartment on the second floor on the other end of the block. We have had three major fires in the Lakehead in a few weeks (Nipigon losing it's mill, and these two) so we're a bit fired-out at the moment. :(

[shreddog]

The morning after ...

http://members.shaw.ca/teddyts4/DSCF5271%20(2).JPG

Good news on the desire to save it, however the sceptic in me says lets what and see.

[Holden West]

Wow, what a great building. The facade must be saved.

In Victoria, the 1909 Royal Bank building was turned into Munro Books and is now one of the most popular and admired buildings on Government Street:

http://static.flickr.com/91/250871432_4e9c993253.jpg

[zerokarma]

Thats a shame, I hope they restore it.