In a shocking turn of events early Tuesday morning, Brantford witnessed a devastating fire that ravaged a large portion of Mohawk Plaza located on Colborne Street. The fire broke out around 1:40 a.m., quickly spreading and causing extensive damage to the plaza's structure.

Deputy Fire Chief Dwayne Armstrong reported that upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and visible flames emanating from the west end of the plaza, near the now-vacant Mohawk Bowl. Emergency crews faced a challenging battle due to the combustible nature of the plaza’s wooden roof, which is layered with tar and asphalt—a common construction method for older buildings.

Armstrong noted that the flames have inflicted severe damage on the defunct bowling alley and have already encroached upon adjacent units, including the notable Army and Navy Club. “We’ve worked meticulously overnight to control the spread,” he stated. Fortunately, firefighters managed to halt the fire before it reached a nearby barber shop and the large Liquidation World store.

Currently, the entire plaza has been closed to the public as authorities assess the destruction. Although damage estimates have yet to be determined, both the police and the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office are set to launch investigations to establish the fire's origin. Eyewitness accounts revealed that a boarded-up entrance to the bowling alley appeared to have been forced open prior to the blaze.

Brantford Police spokesperson Robin Matthews-Osmond confirmed that there have been past complaints regarding the vacant bowling alley, where individuals without fixed addresses have been reported loitering. “We are looking into the circumstances surrounding this incident,” she added.

Despite the firefighters’ best efforts, Armstrong cautioned, “It’s still an active fire,” emphasizing that they are working diligently to contain the flames and prevent further spread.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as investigations commence and the community rallies to recover from this significant loss. Could there be more to this fire than meets the eye? Keep a close watch as this story unfolds!