Thompson and area firefighters as well as heavy equipment operators were battling a fire at the Burntwood Plaza on the morning of March 9.
The fire had largely consumed Shoppers Drug Mart as of 11 a.m. as firefighters from Thompson Fire & Emergency Service, Vale Manitoba Operations and the Paint Lake Volunteer Fire Department sought to contain the flames
A digger was brought to the scene shortly before 11 a.m. to pull down the Shoppers Drug Mart facade, revealing the burning structure within.
Smoke from the fire was visible throughout Thompson on a cold and cloudless morning. The City of Thompson said on Facebook that area streets, including most of Selkirk Avenue and the south end of Juniper Drive, would remain closed until emergency services cleared the area. Residents were asked to avoid the area, including Churchill Drive and the Thompson Plaza parking lot, and to avoid running unnecessary errands nearby until the fire is contained.
As a result of the large volume of water being used to try to douse the flames, residents have also been advised to expect low water pressure until firefighting efforts are complete.
