Fort Erie’s firefighters have been lauded as heroes for working tirelessly for 16 hours to extinguish a massive fire that ravaged a historic former high school in the town. Fire Chief Mark Schmitt and Mayor Wayne Redekop praised the firefighters, the majority of whom are volunteers, for their dedication in battling the stubborn blaze at the former Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School. The incident has been classified as arson by the Niagara Regional Police.
Responding to the fire at approximately 1 a.m. on Ridge Road North, firefighters from all four fire stations faced challenging conditions as they fought to control the fire, eliminate hot spots, and safeguard the surrounding community. Despite the physical demands of the response, many exhausted volunteers returned to their regular jobs or took personal time to recuperate.
Acknowledging the demolition work that was ongoing before the fire, Mayor Redekop commended the firefighters for their unwavering efforts in ensuring community safety. The former high school, with its historic 1927 front exterior designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, holds significant cultural and architectural value in the Ridgeway and Crystal Beach communities. Plans had aimed to preserve the facade for future redevelopment of the property.
During the firefighting operations, special attention was given to preserving the facade while ensuring the fire was completely extinguished. Safety remained the paramount concern due to the building’s deteriorated state. The investigation into the incident is now under the jurisdiction of the 5 District Criminal Investigative Branch (CIB) in collaboration with the Fort Erie Fire Department. Detectives are urging residents and businesses in the vicinity to review any surveillance footage and report any suspicious activities to the police.