It is not known when a grocery store in Kentville, NS, will reopen after a fire on Friday afternoon damaged the front of the building.
Kentville Volunteer Fire Department chief Scott Hamilton said teams responded to a fire call at an Independent Grocer location on Main Street around 4 p.m. Friday.
Hamilton said firefighters found heavy smoke around the pillars at the front of the building. He said the fire went up one of the pillars to the roof.
The store was closed for Canada Day.
Hamilton said there were no injuries, although two firefighters were taken to hospital due to the heat. They were later released.
“As some of you know, we suffered a fire in the store yesterday and we will be closed until further notice,” store officials said in a post on Facebook. “We are devastated, but grateful that no one has been injured. Thank you to all the fire brigades who have come to help us and our community for your support.”
The fire was believed to be accidental
Authorities believe the fire was accidental and started after some gardening work done in the early hours of the day nearby caused a small fire that went unnoticed for a few hours.
Hamilton said there is significant damage to the main entrance and water damage to the main part of the store and basement.
About 80 firefighters attended the scene, Hamilton said, including members of several fire departments in the area.