Fire at flea market building causes $500k in damages
At approximately 10:25 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, fire broke out in the two-storey building located at 28 Bath Road.
The building, which formerly housed the Olde Circle Flea Market, a bingo hall, and a cooking school, along with other retail outlets, quickly became engulfed in flames. Kingston Fire and Rescue, with the support of Kingston Police and Frontenac Paramedics, worked quickly and tirelessly to extinguish the blaze, which kept firefighters working to extinguish sparks and hot spots for nearly 14 hours. Firefighters remained on site for approximately 24 hours, monitoring for further sparks or flare ups, and the building was partially demolished to aid in the investigation.
Known to many Kingstonians as the former Wilmot’s Dairy location, the building was reportedly empty at the time of the fire, though some witnesses claimed to have seen people fleeing the area as the flames broke out. No injuries were reported. The building, owned by Kingston Terminal Properties, a Springer Group company, was already slated for demolition as part of its redevelopment.
Streets in the area remained closed for the duration of the fire, and then again during the demolition work, and some adjacent businesses have since closed due to smoke and other damages related to the fire. While the Ontario Fire Marshal was contacted regarding the incident, they did not attend, and, on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, Kingston Fire and Rescue concluded their investigation. The property has been turned over to the owner, and the damages sustained are estimated at $500,000, Kingston Fire and Rescue said.
“We have no cause to believe foul play, and due to extensive fire damage and structural instability, the cause of the fire cannot be determined at this time,” said Chief Fire Prevention Officer Ted Posadowski.
Below is a photo gallery of the fire and work done to put it out, as well as some of the aftermath of the blaze. Additionally, we’ve included a time-lapse video of the fire as it continues to grow and is eventually extinguished.
Photo by Logan Cadue. 
Smoke begins to spread in the area as water is pumped into the building from multiple angles. Photo by Logan Cadue. 
A firefighter stands atop an engine as water is aimed at the growing flames which engulfed the interior ceiling. Photo by Logan Cadue. 
Water pours out of the building as firefighters work to control the blaze. Photo by Logan Cadue. 
A Kingston Fire and Rescue truck stands idle as the interior of the building collapses in, creating a difficult situation for firefighters. Photo by Logan Cadue. 
The building fully engulfed. Photo by Logan Cadue. 
The sign for the old flea market clings to the building as firefighters push to extinguish the flames. Photo by Cody Stafford-Arenburg. 
Water is forced into the building from many directions as the flames settle down. Photo by Logan Cadue. 
While it may seem insignificant, this is a Kingston Fire and Rescue firetruck almost entirely invisible for the smoke on the scene. 
A firefighter watches on as a fellow firefighter disappears into the smoke while fighting the blaze. Photo by Lucas Mulder. 
Firefighters hold steady aim as the engulfed building disappears behind the smoke. Photo by Lucas Mulder. 
From the other side of Bath Road, the intensity of the situation is captured amid flames and smoke. Photo by Lucas Mulder. 
Still smoking, the building sits destroyed by the fire as firefighters check for sparks and hotspots. Photo by Logan Cadue. 
A row of firefighters take inventory of the destroyed building. Photo by Lucas Mulder. 
The roads ice up from the water as a more full picture of the damage comes to light. Photo by Lucas Mulder. 
Kingston Fire and Rescue estimate the cost of damages at $500,000. Photo by Lucas Mulder.