UPDATE: Oakville Fire has said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, and a damage estimate has yet to be determined, pending a full structural assessment and inventory of the building's contents. However, the damage is expected to be significant.
The fire was brought under control shortly after midnight, though there were still remnant hot spots. Access to certain areas was limited due to a compromised roof structure.
Said Oakville Fire Chief Paul Boissonneault, "Evacuation of staff was completed and there was conflicting numbers on scene from supervisory staff of PIntys. Estimated at 50+ and they were housed in Oakville transit buses while on scene."
The original story follows below:
A fire that is alleged to have taken place inside a large food processing facility on Bristol Circle has left the building with extensive damage.
According to witnesses, firefighters arrived on scene around 10 p.m. last night, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, at Pinty’s Delicious Foods, located at 2714 Bristol Circle in Oakville.
Witnesses say heavy black smoke was visible on arrival with fire breaking through the roof and heavy fire at the rear of the building with thick black smoke.
It is alleged by witnesses that approximately 60 workers were safely evacuated and sheltered from the rain in Oakville Transit buses while fire crews worked from a defensive exterior position, using an aerial truck to pour water onto the fire from above the roof.
Witnesses report that police closed Bristol Circle near the plant as emergency vehicles, including 7-8 fire trucks and 2 aerial trucks, surrounded the facility and lined the street.
Halton EMS was on standby in case of any injuries.
Oakville Fire has yet to confirm the details of this incident at the time this article was published.