Princess Street closed after morning fire in downtown Kingston
Just before 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, Kingston Fire and Rescue were called to a report of a structure fire at an address on lower Princess Street. Eyewitnesses could see smoke coming from the window on the second floor of 70-74 Princess Street, above Amanda’s House of Elegance/Home Accents and Modern Primitive.
Multiple fire trucks responded to the call, and Princess Street was closed from Bagot Street to Ontario Street, with Wellington and King Streets closed to traffic as well. By 9:30 a.m., Princess Street drivers could access the block between Bagot and Wellington Streets, but east of Wellington remained closed to traffic. The roadways have since reopened.
Kingston Fire & Rescue crews used ladder trucks to try to stop the blaze from breaching the roof, however, flames could be seen breaking through the shingles just after 8 a.m. After four hours, KFR cleared the scene. The majority of the damage can be seen at the rear of the building, in the courtyard side of Modern Primitive.
Kingston Fire & Rescue has not yet given an estimate of the damages nor a suspected cause of the fire. While Frontenac Paramedics were on scene as a precaution, no injuries have been reported.
This is a developing story, more to come.
Not mentioned in the story is the fact that this building, Rocheleau House, was built in 1808 – 214 years ago!. It is Kingston’s oldest surviving stone building. Here is hoping that as much as possible of the building can be retained as originally built!