Less smoke, but firefighters still putting water on hot spots at Victoria Plaza Hotel

Victoria firefighters from a ladder truck continue to douse flames at the Victoria Plaza Hotel. The fire that engulfed the historic downtown building started early Monday morning.

Two days after a fire that tore through the Victoria Plaza Hotel building started, firefighters continue to douse flames.

There is a haze of smoke at ground level, but the amount of smoke billowing from the scene has cleared significantly.

An excavator brought in Tuesday was back to work Wednesday to move around smoking debris and help firefighters put the flames out. By the afternoon, part of the front facade of the former hotel was taken down.

An excavator brought in Tuesday to help move smoking debris is back to work Wednesday morning.

Government Street remains closed between Johnson Street and Pandora Avenue. City of Victoria engineer Fraser Work says basement of former Plaza Hotel extends to curb of the street and is a significant structural risk.

Pandora was fully reopened Tuesday.

The City of Victoria said because of smoke remediation, City Hall is closed again Wednesday and Thursday’s Council meeting and Committee of the Whole will be moved to the Capital Regional District Building on Fisgard.

Analysts say smoke from a structure fire like this is filled with high levels of particulate matter from burning carbon, and almost always contains a variety of chemicals.

READ MORE: Experts advise to avoid toxic smoke near downtown Victoria Plaza Hotel fire

Experts advise those in the downtown area to stay indoors and avoid strenuous activity like running or cycling and consider wearing a mask for anyone with respiratory issues.

Beyond the borders of the downtown centre, experts say the smoke is dissipating and doesn’t pose a health risk.

The more-than-century-old building went up in flames Monday.

Crews were alerted only after the alarm went off from a neighbouring building so by the time crews arrived, the fire in the basement was significant and accelerating quickly.

Victoria fire chief Paul Bruce said Tuesday that it is too early to say if the fire is arson and until the fire is completely out, a thorough search will have to wait.

Still unaccounted for is the building’s caretaker, Mike Draeger, who periodically stayed there.

Anyone who knows how to contact him is asked to call VicPD at 250-995-7654.

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