UPDATE:
The fire at Liquidation Nation appears to be due to a wiring issue, officials say.
Orillia Fire Chief Michael Clark says preliminary investigation shows the minor fire started in some wiring in the basement. He said it appears that when the old Woolworths Store was renovated, live wires may have been inadvertently left within a column.
Recently, water got into the column and sparked the blaze, investigators believe.
Clark said there was some minor smoke damage inside the store as a result of the fire.
ORIGINAL STORY:
There was an odour of smoke followed by the sounds of sirens in downtown Orillia Saturday morning.
Local emergency crews responded to the report of a structure fire at Liquidation Nation, a large brick building at the corner of Mississaga and Andrew streets.
While crews were able to get the fire under control quickly and contain it to the inside of the building, they continue to ventilate the smoke from the two-floor retail store.
As a result, streets in the area are blocked off and officials urge people to avoid the area while crews work to clean up the scene. Mississaga Street is closed between Andrew and Albert street; a reopening time is not known.
There is no word as to what caused the fire or the extent of damages.
