Fort Erie firefighters are being hailed as heroes for working tirelessly for 16 hours to extinguish a massive fire that destroyed a historic former high school in the town. Fire Chief Mark Schmitt and Mayor Wayne Redekop commended the firefighters, most of whom are volunteers, for their efforts in battling the stubborn blaze at the former Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School. The incident has been classified as arson by the Niagara Regional Police.

The fire department mobilized firefighters from all four fire stations to respond to the fire that broke out around 1 a.m. on Ridge Road North. Despite challenging conditions, the firefighters successfully brought the fire under control, put out hot spots, and safeguarded the surrounding community. Following the demanding response, many exhausted volunteers either returned to their regular jobs or took personal time to recover from the physical exertion.

Fort Erie’s Fire Chief, Schmitt, expressed pride in the professionalism and dedication shown by the crews throughout the operation. He emphasized the exceptional performance of the firefighters and extended gratitude for their hard work. Mayor Redekop also acknowledged the firefighters for their unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of the community.

The former high school, with its historical significance and designated heritage facade under the Ontario Heritage Act, holds a special place in the Ridgeway and Crystal Beach communities. Prior to the fire, demolition work was already in progress at the site, with plans in place to preserve the facade for potential future redevelopment.

During the firefighting efforts, special attention was given to protecting the facade while ensuring the fire was completely extinguished. Safety remained a top priority due to the deteriorating condition of the building. The investigation into the arson incident is now being led by the 5 District Criminal Investigative Branch in collaboration with the Fort Erie Fire Department. Authorities are urging residents and businesses in the vicinity to review any surveillance footage and report any suspicious activities to the police.