The main, 2-storey structure of the popular St. Jacobs Famers’ Market, at Waterloo, Ont., is a complete loss after a fire early Monday morning. Firefighting crews from four different stations responded to the call received around 2 a.m., but the wooden structure was already fully engulfed in flames by the time crews arrived. No one was injured in the fire, and reports are that the fire affected only the main building and did not spread to nearby buildings where livestock are housed.
CBC News reports damage is estimated near $2 million, and that the fire could potentially been avoided had the building been equipped with a modern sprinkler system.
St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market is listed as Canada’s largest year-round farmers market, according to its website, and boasts “hundreds” of food and craft vendors. A popular tourist destination, a spokesman for the market says the building will be rebuilt.
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