The future of the 96-year-old Empire Complex in Timmins will be decided once the fire that began Saturday is determined to be out, and a structural engineer inspects it. That word is from Timmins Fire Chief Berny Stansa.
The alarm went in early Saturday afternoon. An aerial ladder truck will remain oveernight on the scene at Spruce St. and Algonquin Blvd. to douse any flare-ups.
The iconic building was erected in 1928 by Mascioli Construction as the Empire Hotel — more recently an apartment building. Eighty residents were evacuated Saturday afternoon and sent to the nearby Bon-Air Motel.
Investigation once the fire is out will try to determine the exact cause and point of origin.
