Owen Sound Fire Chief Phil Eagleson says Kelseys on the city’s east side has suffered over $1 million dollars in damage after an electrical fire.
Eagleson says restaurant staff called 911 at about 10:30 this morning when they noticed smoke in an electrical room at the back of the building. He says the fire likely spread from there into the the ceiling.
“When it gets into this void space between the ceiling and the exterior roof— it’s an area they run wires through, but you don’t see it or think about it when you’re in the restaurant, and we had to cut our way in to gain access to where the fire was burning,” says Eagleson, explaining, firefighters had to cut the ceiling from the inside and an aerial fire truck was used to cut holes into the roof from above.
He says, “Crews worked pretty hard for about 4 hours just to chase it and ventilate it.”
He notes, the building was full of black smoke. Witnesses recorded video of the smoke billowing out of the front doors of the restaurant.
Eagleson says, “Everything inside, every television, every piece of upholstered furniture, every piece of wood is all heavily damaged by the black smoke.”
He estimates extensive renovations, maybe a rebuild on the inside, will need to be done.
Everyone got out of the restaurant safely, and no injuries were reported.
About 20 firefighters responded and the Inter Township fire department assisted. Owen Sound Police and Grey County Emergency Medical Services were also on the scene.
Eagleson says five fire trucks were used in the response.
No injuries were reported.
A portion of 16th street east was closed for about three hours. It has since reopened.
Emergency crews on scene of a fire at Kelseys in Owen Sound on Aug. 1, 2023. (Matt Hermiz/Bayshore Broadcasting News)
Firefighters respond to a blaze at Kelseys in Owen Sound on Aug. 1, 2023. (Matt Hermiz/Bayshore Broadcasting News)
Three city fire trucks on scene including aerial platform unit. I’m told response started prior to 11 a.m. https://t.co/niisA3sShg pic.twitter.com/e06DW3MXVM
— Matt Hermiz (@MattHermiz) August 1, 2023
#StructureFire @ Kelsey’s Restaurant. East & West bound traffic of 16th St. East are blocked. Please avoid the area so emergency crews can work safely & efficiently. @ChiefAmbroseOSP @JFluneyOSPS @Insp_DBishop @OSPApres @NewsBayshore @BounceRadio923 @OwenSoundST @OwenSoundHub pic.twitter.com/pB5W4OkVwb
— OwenSoundPolice (@OwenSoundPolice) August 1, 2023