The Government Street side of the Victoria Plaza came down Wednesday night. Firefighters continue to douse hot spots that have been burning since Monday.
Victoria firefighters continue to douse hot spots still burning since Monday morning from a fire that tore through the more-than-century-old Victoria Plaza.
On Wednesday night, the entire side of the 109-year-old heritage building on Government Street came down.
The stubborn blaze has forced the closure of nearby businesses and Government Street remains closed to traffic between Johnson Street and Pandora Avenue.
The sidewalk along the west side of Government Street, however, has re-opened.
A shot from Government Street. The facade of the old Victoria Plaza came down Wednesday night, but the sidewalk on the west side of Government is open.
Victoria engineer Fraser Work says the basement of the former Plaza Hotel extends to the curb of the street and is a significant structural risk, with worries about potential damage to the neighbouring building.
The toxic smoke that billowed from the fire forced the closure of City Hall, but officials said Wednesday the city’s Public Service Centre, Development Services and Permits and Inspections counter are open Thursday.
City Hall will fully reopen Friday, although Victoria’s council and committee of the whole meetings Thursday are being held at the Capital Regional District building on Fisgard Street.
Smoke still smoulders where a fire tore through the old Victoria Plaza Monday, at the corner of Pandora Avenue and Government Street.
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On Wednesday night, fire chief Paul Bruce said Mike Draeger, the caretaker at the former Plaza hotel, remains unaccounted for.
Anyone who knows how to contact him is asked to call VicPD at 250-995-7654.
What caused the fire is still not known.
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