CORNWALL – At least two apartment buildings on Lennox Street have been extensively damaged by fire.
Cornwall firefighters, the Cornwall-SDG Paramedic Service and Cornwall police were called just before 5 p.m. to 41 Lennox Street, east of the intersection of Arthur Street.
Flames shot high into the air and a large plume of smoke could been seen as far away as Brookdale Avenue.
Tim Woods lives two streets away from the duplexes. “We saw the sky lit orange and it was all smoky so we knew there was fire nearby…there are ashes two streets down,” he told Cornwall Newswatch.
Woods believed everyone got out safely. “We saw the cops taking out everyone and the firefighters.”
There are reports up to three dogs perished in the fire however that has not been confirmed by authorities.
Sections of Lennox Street and Arthur Street are closed to traffic as onlookers tried to keep warm in the bitter cold.
Some were overcome by emotion, hugged by loved ones, while others ran on scene having received the devastating news. One man had to be held back by friends, before he broke down in grief.
The Cornwall Red Cross has been notified. With gallons of water pouring down various neighbouring streets, Cornwall public works crews will be on the scene later this evening to spread salt on the streets where water from the fire is expected to freeze.
We will be updating this story as more information becomes available.
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